Smoked Salmon Potato Nests — Nids de pomme de terre au saumon fumé
I do not know anybody who does not like parties. There are parties and parties of course and one party does not necessarily equal another. Depending on the kind of party, you have fun, a lot of fun,…ok and sometimes you just wonder what on earth you were thinking before deciding to accept an invitation. In fact, experience has shown me that a successful party should have a balance of everything, and food should certainly not be ommitted. And going with this idea, it means a choice for quality . When there is good food, it makes people happier. Everyone remembers the party as a highlight. I think in many ways, our stomach is our second brain! If it is not happy, you are not happy!
Party food is one of the types of food I just *love* to make. You say finger food and my head bursts with ideas for all those little miniature “things” that can be thrown down one’s throat in less than 1 sec. Petits fours, amuse-bouches, mini this, mini that, I already imagine the buffet made up with lots of colours and designs. The fun begins before the party.
When I found out that Dispensing Happiness was organizing the following event, Blog Party #8, brunch, I was already sold on it. Wasn’t it luck? I had a good reason to make little nibbles for a brunch! There were, however, just too many things I could make. Hence for this time around, I preferred to try something that had been on my wishlist for a long time. Donna Hay magazines once again inspired me with a lovely and easy recipe that I adapted slightly. Those little amuse-bouches have everything to make a normal man or woman happy. Potato for the male? He is happy. Crème fraîche for the female? She is happy. Salmon? [pause]…both are happy. And green for the eyes.
You need:
- 200 g grated potatoes
- A few slices of smoked salmon
- 1/2 cup crème fraîche
- 1 Tbsp chopped dill
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- A bunch of alfafa sprouts (type watercress, larger green leaves)
- 1 egg
- 30 g melted butter
- Salt and pepper
- Dash of paprika
- Fleur de sel
Steps:
- Preheat your oven at 400 F (200 C).
- Peel the potatoes and grate them.
- Squeeze the juice out. Mix one egg in, and season with salt and pepper.
- Take a mini muffin pan (I used a silicone one, all molds are 1.5 inch or 4 cm) and grease it. Place a small amount of the grated potatoes at the bottom of each mold, as if to make a nest.
- Melt the butter and place 1/2 tsp in each.
- Place in the oven for 20 min, or until brown. Remove and cool down.
- Mix together the crème fraîche with the chopped dill, and the lemon juice. Add salt and pepper.
- In each potato nest, place a few alfalfa leaves, some cream, a dash of paprika and a slice of smoked salmon.
- Sprinkle with fleur de sel.
Et voilà! It is super easy and is eaten in less than 1 sec. Timer on, I challenge you! Let the fun start!
PS: I also made mini Raspberry Feuilletés with Orange Mascarpone Cheese, but how do you feel that I keep them for next time?
28 Comments »
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these look wonderful!
Comment by Kat & Satoshi — On March, 15th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Oh Béa how I adore your Amuse-Bouche! You’re such an inspiration!
Comment by bron — On March, 15th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Hello, Bea; and welcome to Blog Party!
I’m so happy you could join us this month…it’s always a pleasure to meet another lover of small bites.
Your smoked salmon potato nests are *divine*; I absolutely adore them! And I’m wishing I had your silicone pan, too…
Thank you so much for ‘attending’; I’ll have the round-up posted Saturday evening!
Comment by Stephanie — On March, 15th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
Bea, these are absolutely gorgeous! And what a terrific bonus that they’re so simple to make! Between the butter, potatoes, creme fraiche, and smoked salmon, really, it’s brilliant, my dear.
Comment by Molly — On March, 15th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Hi Bea,
I have always wanted to try potato nests! Thanks for trying them and putting up a picture. Were they difficult to make? How do you like the silicone pans?
They look delicious. Pairing them with salmon is perfect!
Comment by Ivonne — On March, 15th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Another great piece of food porn from you Bea! You should be getting paid for styling food like that!
Comment by Gerald — On March, 16th, 2006 at 12:13 am
Bea—So lovely. I might get my silicone molds out to try again after seeing your little ‘bites’!
Comment by melissa — On March, 16th, 2006 at 1:20 am
génial, je te conseille, une coupe fine à la mandoline pour un résultat sembable mais tu peux jouer pour avoir des bords en vague
Comment by AnneE — On March, 16th, 2006 at 3:28 am
This is so elegant! Really good! Thanks Bea! I feel envy…
Comment by ilva — On March, 16th, 2006 at 3:52 am
quelle super idée de faire des nid de pomme de terre !!! je garde l’idée!!!
Comment by Malice et pain d'épices — On March, 16th, 2006 at 4:08 am
It’s always wonderful ! You’re inspired by your muffin pan !
Comment by Papilles&Pupilles — On March, 16th, 2006 at 4:18 am
Quelle excellente idee Bea. Tu es vraiment tres douee.
Comment by Gracianne — On March, 16th, 2006 at 4:50 am
Those look fab, Bea! I have that recipe tagged on my copy of Donna Hay too
Comment by Eggy — On March, 16th, 2006 at 8:15 am
Super idea! I’ll going to go get my silicone madeleine pan right now and whip something up, you are a genius! Thanks!!
Comment by Riana — On March, 16th, 2006 at 11:31 am
Thanks Kat and Bron for your nice note!
Stephanie, Thanks for hosting the event. I am going to love participating as this is favorite food for me to cook!
Molly, now before anything else, I did not know you lived in France (ref Monoprix). Where?? And thanks, the simplest things are always the best, and you are right, this is easy which makes it even more attractive.
Ivonne, not difficult at all, and the silicone is really perfect. I was a bit hesitant first but love all of those molds that I have.
Melissa, good for you! I look forward to hearing what you will make!
AnneE, tu ne vas pas me croire, mais la mandoline, c’est sur ma liste des trucs a acheter! Je n’en ai pas et me dis toujours que je dois en acheter une! Tu m’inspires la a faire le pas!
Ilva, thanks my dear! You can do those, easy!
Malice et Papilles, merci bien!!
Gracianne, non non pas douee, je t’assure, c’est tres simple! Mais merci, ca fait du bien quand meme de se l’entendre dire, ahah, c’est pas tous les jours!
Eggy, ah yes! Isn’t it a cool magazine??? I have so many things I want to try, it is not even funny!
Riana mon amie! Merci. Get it out and off you go, bake!
Comment by Béa — On March, 16th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
Wanna adopt me? Please? I’m so hungry now …
Comment by MM — On March, 16th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Bonne idée! What a great combo of tastes. Your photos as beautiful as always. (I know I always say that, but I can’t help it – c’est vrai!)
Comment by Easily Pleased — On March, 16th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
GREAT !
Superbe recettes et dire qu’au Etats-unis la bonne bouffe est de plus en plus apprécié.
Ce n’est que bien !
A+
Comment by GREAT — On March, 16th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
can food be beautiful and even inspiring? yes. you have accomplished both with these little beauties! what a treat to discover your site today and happen upon this recipe. and i don’t even like fish!
i am so looking forward to your Raspberry Feuilletés with Orange Mascarpone Cheese – perhaps tomorrow? soon? soon! 
Comment by iamchanelle — On March, 16th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
C’est original et très joli !
Comment by Sylvie — On March, 16th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
So cute. Thanks for the very good idea. Also love tiny bites.
Comment by bonheursdesophie — On March, 17th, 2006 at 1:43 am
These look great, Bea! I’ve been making canapes with potato shortcrust pastry, but the idea of greated potato cases sounds even more healthy and tasty!
Comment by Pille — On March, 17th, 2006 at 8:24 am
les nids de pomme de terre miam quel délice j’ai craqué pour la recette et pour la photo…
Comment by astridcmoi — On March, 17th, 2006 at 11:02 am
Each one looks like it would be such a satisfying little snack. Delightful! Aren’t mini-muffin pans just the cutest??
Comment by Tania — On March, 17th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Hi Bea,
I followed the link to your salmon tartlettes at the Blog Party 8 event and found this gorgeous blog of yours. Wow, what great recipes and photography. And guess what, we are neighbors! It’s always so exciting to find other Boston food bloggers. Where in France did you grow up? France is how I got obsessed with food too
Thought I didn’t grow up there. I spent a semester there when I was in college and I was hooked.
I can’t wait to try some of your recipes.
Cheers,
-Helen
Comment by Helen — On March, 21st, 2006 at 3:32 pm
Glad you like them! They are delicious and zoum, only require one second down the throat!! Ahah MM, adopt you? Let me think? are you well behaved??
Easily Pleased, thanks ahah, you are nice with me, no complaints!!
Thanks iamchanelle, Sophie and Sylvie!
Pille, show me show me!
Merci astrid!
Yes I agree Tania, they are fun pans!
Helen, yes funny and I look forward to reading your food stories. Your blog is just lovely! Very colourful!
Comment by Béa — On March, 28th, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Hi,
I am making the potatoe nests right now! How long can the nests be made ahead of time? How should they be stored? Thank you!
Comment by Karen — On May, 18th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Karen,
You can make them one day ahead and store in an air-tight container, in the fridge. Then, to serve, reheat them in the oven for a few minutes as they tend to lose crispiness if not eaten on the day.
Comment by Béa — On May, 18th, 2009 at 2:31 pm