Name: Smoked salmon brioche with cucumber salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp light soy sauce; 2 tsp brown sugar; 2 tsp rice wine vinegar; 1 garlic clove, crushed; 1/2 tsp sesame oil; 1/4 tsp dried chilli flakes; 2 lebanese cucumbers, cut into matchsticks; 12 long green onions, green part only; 6 brioche hot dog rolls; 1 carrot, cut into matchsticks; 150g smoked salmon slices, torn; 1 cup fresh coriander sprigs; Japanese mayonnaise, to drizzle; Freshly ground black pepper, to season

Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetiser that’ll be a hit amongst seafood lovers? Don’t look past these mini smoked salmon brioche bites with a cucumber salad.

With a slice of delicate smoked salmon on top of a soft, buttery brioche and paired with a refreshing cucumber salad, this bite-sized treat needs to be on the menu.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp light soy sauce

2 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp rice wine vinegar

1 garlic clove, crushed

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/4 tsp dried chilli flakes

2 lebanese cucumbers, cut into matchsticks

12 long green onions, green part only

6 brioche hot dog rolls

1 carrot, cut into matchsticks

150g smoked salmon slices, torn

1 cup fresh coriander sprigs

Japanese mayonnaise, to drizzle

Freshly ground black pepper, to season

Method

Step 1

Combine soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, oil and chilli in a bowl. Add cucumber and toss to coat. Set aside for 5–10 minutes. Drain cucumber, reserving dressing.

Step 2

Meanwhile, blanch green onions in a saucepan of boiling water for 2–3 seconds until just softened. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to cool.

Step 3

Place the rolls on a board, trim the edges, then halve each to form two smaller rolls. Split each roll down the middle.

Step 4

Fill rolls with carrot, smoked salmon, cucumber and coriander. Drizzle with mayonnaise and a little reserved dressing. Season with pepper. Tie with green onion to serve.

smoked salmon inside brioche rolls with a cucumber salad — *(Photography: Tim Roberts, styling Michele Cranston, preparation Ismat Awan, recipes Kim Coverdale)*

What is the best thing to serve smoked salmon on?

The best foods to serve smoked salmon on are flavours and textures which compliment its delicate, smokiness while adding texture and freshness. This could be a brioche or toasted bagel, crispy crostini, cucumber slices, avocado toast, crackers or rye bread.

What kind of cheese goes with smoked salmon?

There are a number of cheeses which pair beautifully with smoked salmon. Cream cheese is mild enough that it balances the richness of smoked salmon, while goats cheese is tangy and creamy, meaning it offers some depth to the flavours of salmon. Brie, mascarpone and feta are some other great options.

What is the difference between brioche and sandwich bread?

The difference between brioche and sandwich bread is in the texture, flavour and ingredients used to bake it. Brioche is softer with a slightly flakey texture while loaf bread is more dense. Brioche tastes sweet thanks to the addition of sugar and butter while loaf bread has a more neutral flavour.

Kim Coverdale