Salmon Cheesecake

To prepare a savory and refined appetizer, we start by making some delicious croutons. We cut bread into cubes, preferably from an older type of bread, which will provide a crunchy texture and a more intense flavor. These cubes are toasted in a pan until golden and crispy, making sure to turn them frequently for even toasting. Once cooled, we transfer them to a food processor and finely chop them, obtaining a tasty breadcrumb that will form the base of our dish.

Next, we melt a piece of butter over low heat, being careful not to let it smoke. Once melted, we prepare a springform pan or a pastry ring, into which we will add the previously obtained breadcrumbs. We pour the melted butter over the breadcrumbs and, using a spatula or by pressing manually, ensure that it is evenly distributed and well compacted. This base will become crispy and flavorful after we let it cool in the refrigerator for a few hours, preferably overnight.

While the breadcrumb base cools, we prepare the filling. We take a piece of fresh cheese and blend it together with sour cream until we obtain a smooth and homogeneous cream. This will add creaminess and a rich flavor to our dish. Separately, we finely chop an onion, preferably a red one for color contrast and sweetness. We add slices of smoked salmon, which will provide an intense and salty flavor, and grate lime zest, bringing a note of freshness. We then squeeze lime juice over the mixture, which will complete the flavors.

We mix all the ingredients - onion, salmon, zest, and lime juice - with the cheese and sour cream, adding finely chopped dill for an extra touch of flavor. We adjust the composition with salt and pepper, according to everyone’s preferences. This savory filling is poured over the cooled breadcrumb base, and the dish is left in the refrigerator again, preferably overnight, to firm up and combine the flavors.

Before serving, we can garnish the dish with various ingredients, depending on the host's tastes. Whether it’s thin slices of lemon, a few sprigs of fresh dill, or even some pink peppercorns, each detail will contribute to the final appearance of the appetizer. This dish will not only look spectacular but will also delight the taste buds of the guests. Enjoy your meal!