Cucumber Canapés with Smoked Salmon Mousse Recipe
Delight your guests with these elegant Cucumber Canapés topped with a smooth and flavorful smoked salmon mousse. Combining smoky salmon, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs, this no-cook appetizer is perfect for parties or light snacks, offering a refreshing and visually appealing dish that’s quick to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: Approximately 24 canapé pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon Mousse
- 150g / 5 oz smoked salmon
- 150g / 5 oz cream cheese, softened (preferably Philadelphia)
- 2 tbsp / 30g sour cream
- 2 tbsp / 40g mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped (or substitute chives)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tsp lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cucumbers and Garnish
- 3 long cucumbers (Telegraph/English) or 6 standard cucumbers
- Extra dill sprigs for garnish
- Lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon Mousse: Place the smoked salmon, softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into a food processor. Blitz until the mixture is completely smooth, making sure to scrape down the sides periodically to ensure even blending.
- Pipe and Chill the Mousse: Fit a piping bag with a wide star tip nozzle (approximately 1.5-2cm or 0.6-0.75 inches wide). Transfer the mousse mixture into the piping bag, then refrigerate for at least 5 hours to allow it to firm up perfectly for piping.
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Slice the cucumbers into 1.5cm thick (about 0.6 inch) rounds. Using a small melon baller or teaspoon, carefully scoop out a well from the center of each cucumber slice, leaving the base intact to hold the mousse.
- Assemble the Canapés: Pipe the chilled smoked salmon mousse into each cucumber well. Garnish on top with extra dill sprigs, and serve immediately alongside lemon slices for an additional burst of fresh citrus flavor.
Notes
- Note 1: Use good-quality smoked salmon for the best flavor.
- Note 2: Softened cream cheese blends more easily, ensuring a smooth mousse.
- Note 3: Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on your smoked salmon’s saltiness.
- Note 4: Telegraph or English cucumbers are preferred for their thinner skin and fewer seeds, but standard cucumbers work fine as a substitute.
- The mousse can be made up to one day ahead to save time before serving.
Keywords: cucumber canapés, smoked salmon mousse, appetizer, party food, no-cook appetizer, easy finger food
