Thanks to Kellogg’s for sponsoring this post.
Salmon Tzatziki Canapés
Remember that time I was Ina Garten’s BFF? Well, the time I was invited to her house for a cookie swap, anyway. It was basically the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. And the one thing I wanted to ask her was how she manages to host a million dinners and cocktail parties and breakfasts without breaking a sweat, all in a gorgeous white blouse without so much as a hair out of place. Right?! She’s magical.
One thing she said on a show once stuck with me. She was hosting a gathering and making an awesome dinner as usual, but she stopped by the store to grab olives (“good olives!” of course) and other odds and ends for her guests to munch on before the meal. I loved the idea that Ina, queen of entertaining, could let the store take care of her apps without needing to fuss over them herself. When I took on this sponsored post for Town House crackers (my favorite crackers! I don’t do sponsored posts for brands I don’t already love, just in case you don’t know me by now — cue Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes), I wanted to channel Ina. I don’t own a white blouse (good thing, because I’m sloppy when I cook), but I wanted to create the perfect party finger foods with minimal fuss.
After chatting with you all for inspiration, I’ve been busy tasting, dipping, spreading, and pairing away. Town House crackers basically exploded when I wasn’t looking — there are approximately 840,583 varieties now, oh my gosh — so there are tons of possibilities. I’m planning on hosting a little gathering to showcase everything I come up with, but in the meantime I wanted to share a sneak peek of the varieties with a little “mood board” and a recipe.
The Flatbreads and Pretzel Thins are both perfect just to pour in a bowl and serve. The original crackers can be dipped, used for spreads, or inhaled straight from the sleeve (maybe you shouldn’t do this at a party, though. Embarrassing.) The pitas are probably my favorite new variety and are perfect for dipping. I picked up some of my favorite roast chicken salad from a local Mediterranean deli and shoveled it up with the Mediterranean Herb Pitas.
For this Salmon Tzatziki Canapé recipe, I used the Roasted Garlic flatbreads. These cute little canapés are topped with thick tzatziki cream cheese (which I’m going to make a billion gallons of and smear on everything — it’s so good!), a fatty hunk of smoked salmon (I buy the fattiest smoked salmon I can find at my local grocery store, where they sell their trimmings in little deli tubs), and a wisp of dill to make it cute. They were simple to put together but look so fancy, right?! I hope my BFF would approve.
One year ago: Coconut Cloud Fruit Dip
Two years ago: Key Lime Pie Cheesecake with Sky-High Meringue
Three years ago: Brie En Croute with Figs & Rosemary
Four years ago: Quick Rosemary, Fig, and Goat Cheese Tarts
Five years ago: Clementine Cake
- 1 large English cucumber, diced (the long, skinny ones)
- 1 teaspoon salt (for salting cucumbers)
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh dill, plus more for topping
- salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
- smoked salmon (I buy the fattiest trimmings from my local grocery store, yum)
- Town House Roasted Garlic Flatbreads
- Place your diced cucumber in a colander and sprinkle with the teaspoon of salt, tossing a bit. Cover with a paper towel and a heavy bowl and let them drain for 30 minutes. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the lemon juice, garlic, dill, and a grind or two of black pepper. Beat until combined and then fold in drained cucumbers and taste for salt and pepper, adding any as needed. Chill for at least two hours so the flavors can meld.
- When ready to serve, spread the cream cheese mixture on your Town House Roasted Garlic Flatbreads. Top with a hunk of smoked salmon and a wisp of dill.
“From presentably munch-able options, to dipping inspiration, to versatile possibilities, we have the variety that will help her stylishly host any type of gathering — from planned to impromptu.”
Thanks, Kellogg’s Town House!
GiGi Eats
February 26, 2015 at 12:25 am (10 years ago)Salmon is hands down the best fish on the face of the planet 🙂
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 12:53 am (10 years ago)AGREE 100% 🙂
Holly @Spend With Pennies
February 26, 2015 at 12:50 am (10 years ago)What a great appetizer idea! I love tzatziki too so I’ll definitely be trying these!
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 12:53 am (10 years ago)I loved making it with the cream cheese, Holly! Hope you do too!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories
February 26, 2015 at 1:18 am (10 years ago)Very cute story, and these canapes look so delicious. One of my favorites.
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 10:29 am (10 years ago)Thanks Karen!
Catherine
February 26, 2015 at 2:24 am (10 years ago)Dear Julie, These look wonderful. You did a fantastic job with this post…perfect appetizers for any occasion. They wouldn’t long at my gatherings! xo, Catherine
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 10:29 am (10 years ago)Thanks Catherine! Mike and I inhaled them!
Arman @ thebigmansworld
February 26, 2015 at 3:19 am (10 years ago)Julie, you have me craving salmon now!
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 10:30 am (10 years ago)Thanks Arman! I crave it all the time, yum!
Aggie
February 26, 2015 at 6:20 am (10 years ago)I do remember that cookie swap!! That was the coolest thing ever!!! I feel the same about Ina and have learned exactly the same from her as well. I have always loved how she can build a beautiful spread or platter from store bought foods. It is genius. She’s amazing. 🙂
I love these little apps! I would be drawn to the immediately!
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 10:31 am (10 years ago)I have to pinch myself when I think about it!! *Siiiiiigh* Ina <3 She really is a genius. I love her emphasis on quality and not on fuss for fuss's sake. Thanks Aggie!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow
February 26, 2015 at 10:20 am (10 years ago)I’m a huge fan of both Ina Garten and tzatziki, so this story and recipe is right up my alley. I make lots of variations on tzatziki, but I’ve never thought of putting it on a cracker so elegantly – kudos! Can’t wait to try it for my next super elegant cocktail party. (lol – it will more likely be featured at my next dinner in front of the tv night)
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 10:31 am (10 years ago)LOL, we’re party twins, Laura! I think Mike and I ate most of these standing at the kitchen sink. We couldn’t wait!
Danae @ Recipe Runner
February 26, 2015 at 11:59 am (10 years ago)I am so jealous you got to do a cookie swap with Ina! What an amazing experience! The canapes are perfect for entertaining. Easy to make and I love the salmon and tzatziki combo!
Julie Ruble
February 26, 2015 at 12:49 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Danae! It really was an incredible experience! Made my life 🙂
Joanie @ ZagLeft
February 27, 2015 at 8:28 am (10 years ago)What a great appetizer that comes together quickly. These sound perfect for a party! I love tzatziki sauce and sure bet it goes great with the salmon.
Carla
February 27, 2015 at 3:21 pm (10 years ago)Not going to lie. You say these are the perfect appetizer recipe. I say these are perfect for dinner 😉
Rachel Cooks
March 2, 2015 at 6:45 am (10 years ago)Snacking perfection! Also – I’m with Carla – I’d totally eat this for dinner.
Rachel
March 3, 2015 at 10:45 am (10 years ago)OMG I guess I haven’t been reading your blog long enough to know about the Ina Garten cookie swap! I DIE!!!! That post is amazing and I love the pictures, ahhh.
Anyway, I also LOVE smoked salmon AND the original Town House crackers… I too had no clue there were all these new varieties now. Might have to bust this recipe out for next month’s book club!!
Susan
April 29, 2016 at 9:13 am (9 years ago)I took these to dinner party last night–they were fabulous! I love that they are easy to make but still a little elegant. YUM!
Julie Ruble
April 29, 2016 at 9:17 am (9 years ago)So glad to hear this, Susan!! Happy that you loved them as much as I did <3