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Baccalà Mantecato

An incredibly simple and quick recipe to transform basic bread into an elegant, creamy, and flavorful appetizer featuring the unique touch of smoked fish.

15 min Fusión 4 servings
Baccalà Mantecato

The story behind

I've always loved light, tapas-style dinners, especially on Fridays when you arrive home exhausted. This idea was born one day when I had some cream cheese about to expire and a bit of leftover smoked salmon. I decided to blend them, add a splash of lemon zest for bright flavor, and voilà. It instantly became a classic in my home. I recommend serving it with a chilled glass of crisp white wine, like an Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc, in the late afternoon as a snack or as an entry before a heavier dinner.

Instructions

  1. 1
    First things first: if your cream cheese isn't at room temperature, let it sit out for a while so it's smooth and easy to blend.
  2. 2
    While you wait, finely chop your chosen smoked fish. The goal is to have it integrate well into the cream.
  3. 3
    In a medium-sized bowl, place the softened cream cheese and whisk it slightly with a fork or whisk to get it fluffy.
  4. 4
    Fold in the chopped fish, the fresh lemon zest, the finely chopped dill (or chives), and a generous crack of black pepper. Mix gently until it becomes a homogeneous cream.
  5. 5
    If time allows, chill this mixture for at least 30 minutes; this helps the flavors meld together and the texture to firm up, though you can use it immediately.
  6. 6
    Just before serving, toast the bread slices. Aim for them to be golden and crispy on the outside but still a bit tender inside.
  7. 7
    Spread a generous layer of the smoked fish cream onto each warm toast.
  8. 8
    For the final touch, sprinkle a bit more chopped fresh dill or chives over the top for instant color and freshness. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast in temperatures.
  9. 9
    Enjoy this quick and delicious bite!

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