These easy smoked salmon appetizers in wonton cups make an impression presentation for any occasion.
(Please stop by my review blog to tell me about your holiday traditions.)
When my husband and I lived in New York City, we took pleasure in wandering down Broadway to Zabar’s or Citarella, two of the city’s well-known specialty food stores. We would stock up on as many top-quality items as our paychecks would allow. Of course, after paying our Manhattan-sized rent and garage fee, we were crazy to be spending our remaining dollars on gourmet foods. What can I say? It’s a sickness. Our baskets were filled with mushroom ravioli, fresh pasta sauces, and smoked fish, along with crispy loaves of bread and specialty cheeses. One of my favorite treats was the smoked salmon, cut to order from the whole smoked fish into paper-thin slices. The delicate slices practically melted on our tongues and they were often consumed without crackers, without cream cheese, straight from the brown paper packaging.
Of course, if you are thinking of serving smoked salmon at a cocktail party or as an hors d’oeuvres at your Thanksgiving feast, I highly recommend giving your guests at least a cracker or two. Or wonton cups, baked until crisp until golden brown. Each cup is filled with a mixture of mascarpone cheese, horseradish, and fresh dill and then topped with smoked salmon. I know, I know – sounds a little odd. But trust me, it’s a combination worth trying. As far as my boys are concerned, it is kind-friendly, too.
The wonton cups can be made 2 to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container. The mascarpone mixture can be made one day in advance. Assemble the hors d’oeuvres just before serving.
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut about 1/2-inch off of two adjacent sides of each wonton wrapper to make a slightly smaller square. To make this process quicker, stack several wonton skins together at a time.
Spray a mini muffin tin lightly with cooking spray. Press one wonton skin in each muffin tin opening, slightly folding the skins in a couple of places to make them fit properly. Bake until crisp and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the wonton cups from the tin (remember, they will be hot) and cool on a wire rack.
In a medium bowl, stir together mascarpone cheese, horseradish, fresh chopped dill, salt, and pepper.
Fill each cup with 1 teaspoon of the mascarpone mixture. Top with a piece of smoked salmon folded into a loose rose. Garnish with sprig of dill. Repeat with remaining smoked salmon and dill.
Other smoked salmon hors d’oeuvres:
La Tartine Gourmande’s Verrine Fraicheur: Cucumber, Yogurt & Smoked Salmon
La Fuji Mama’s Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese & Jalapeno Temaki Sushi
Ingredients, Inc.’s Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups
The Amateur Gourmet’s Smoked Salmon Dip
Fig & Cherry’s Smoked Salmon Crepe “Sushi”
Smoked Salmon & Horseradish Mascarpone in Wonton Cups Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 square wonton skins
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese room temperature
- 1 tbsp + 1 teaspoon horseradish
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 ounces smoked salmon cut into 24 equal pieces
- sprigs fresh dill
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut about ½-inch off of two adjacent sides of each wonton wrapper to make a slightly smaller square. To make this process quicker, stack several wonton skins together at a time.
- Spray a mini muffin tin lightly with cooking spray. Press one wonton skin in each muffin tin opening, slightly folding the skins in a couple of places to make them fit properly. Bake until crisp and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the wonton cups from the tin (remember, they will be hot) and cool on a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl, stir together mascarpone cheese, horseradish, fresh chopped dill, salt, and pepper.
- Fill each cup with 1 teaspoon of the mascarpone mixture. Top with a piece of smoked salmon folded into a loose rose. Garnish with sprig of dill. Repeat with smoked salmon and dill.
Nutrition
Heidi / foodiecrush
Super easy won-ton-alicious! And they look so easy. Great recipe and such cute models 😉
How To: Simplify
You had me a smoked salmon…it's one of my favorite foods. What a flavor combo…it looks and sounds amazing!
Mags @ the Other Side of 50
What a beautiful, beautiful appetizer.
Cake Duchess
I think these are gorgeous and I love the idea of smoked salmon with mascarpone.
Angie's Recipes
wow…these look fantastic! Bet they would disappear first if served at a party!
specialforksndy
I have made wonton cups before, but your presentation is really spectacular and takes it to another level. What a great blog – beautiful photos and beautifully written.
Chef Fresco
These are beautiful! Perfect holiday app. And your kids are adorable!
Sprinkles of Parsley
What a beautiful recipe! It doesn't look like it lacks in flavor either. Exactly what I look for in a great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
My Man's Belly
This is the prettiest smoked salmon appetizer I've ever seen. It's a welcome change to the usual cracker, schmear of spread and chunk of smokes salmon flopped on top.
Megan
These look beautiful little flowers. Stunning appetizer! These would be perfect anytime of course but I could see these at weddings!!! So elegant!
penny aka jeroxie
Very clever to use wonton skins. Yummy party food.
Claudia
$100 for shoes? Oh my goodness no -that's why Marshalls was invented. However, for ingredients…. and cookbooks… uh oh. This is drop-dead gorgeous,splashy and utterly delicious and will make its way to my dinner table.
marla {family fresh cooking}
Some very fond memories of NYC here my friend. I too would have my smoked salmon (scottish) sliced very thin to order. Eating it out of the brown wrapper was blissful! These appetizers look beautiful & delicious! xo
Monet
We are very very frugal…but when it comes to our food, we most certainly splurge! These smoked salmon cups look amazing, and I loved seeing the sweet faces of the boys while they enjoyed their treats! Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday night!
Nancy
Just when I think I've seen all the smoked salmon recipes there are I find this!! Simple, elegant and drop dead delicious!!!
P.S. I am like you – won't spend $100 for shoes, but for specialty foods – no problem!!