It’s New Year’s Eve and the young ones are off out doing what all young people should do and that is celebrate the coming in of the New Year. I guess Adriano and I have seen too many of them because this year for the first time we are staying at home. But we did pop a bottle of expensive French champagne and I made nibbles to go with it. I am getting used to cooking for Adriano and Dario and then separating out the grain for me but these I made grain-free so I didn’t have to worry.
When I was slurring my words ever so slightly, I cooked dinner with every intention of photographing it, but then I couldn’t be bothered and we ate it and now it’s too late so all you get tonight are the appetizers.
If you malabsorb lactose, make sure you use lactose-free milk and cream cheese.
But first a photo of the young ones in our garden before they departed this evening, then the recipe.
Dario and Alex (on the left) and their friends
- Two fat courgettes
- 150g cream cheese
- 100g smoked salmon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp wasabi
- 2 tbsp milk or coconut milk
- Chives
- Salt & pepper
- Slice the courgettes into thin rounds and lay out on a large plate
- Place a small slice of salmon on each one.
- Sprinkle with some chopped chives
- Place the cream cheese, most of the lemon zest, the wasabi, milk, a pinch of salt and a grinding of pepper in a small food processor and process until smooth.
- Pipe onto the salmon.
- Sprinkle with more chives and the rest of the lemon zest.
Salmon is such a popular appetizer, I love your grain-free variation. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Laura.
Happy New Year Suzanne, to you and your family! Well, it is a dozen hours old as I write and does not hurt a bit 🙂 ! Love your appetizer: had some comfortable dropins last night and did something rather similar: someone had suggested I buy smoked trout slices instead of the more expensive salmon – as quite a surprise it worked out very well, even tho’ it DID taste and look more salmon than trout 🙂 ! And next time I have to use coconut milk!!
Trout should be a good alternative but I haven’t tried it. Happy New year.
Techical issues, technical issues !: Suzanne, I had another post 3655 [photograph] and just now 3904 [ask not] come thru’ as new posts today – may be me but I cannot access either. Have not had any other probs over the last hour this morning . . . just thought you would want to know!
Oh no, I am playing around with the layout of my blog and had put in the HTML not to send out the quote posts. Obviously it isn’t working.
Thanks for letting me know.
dearHeart – the supposed Julia Child one was just announced – when I click on, it tells me Error 404! Talk about glitches on NY’s Day!!
I will stop now and sort this code before I do any more quotes. Thanks.
Sorry, Suzanne, honestly did not have the good common sense to email you – perhaps you can cancel my comments!!
No worries. This way other people I have accidentally pestered will have an explanation. I am researching the problem now.
The young ones are very attractive! 🙂
I cracked up at not photographing and eating after having some of the expensive bubbly. I’ve done the same thing myself. I never felt one bit guilty. It simply gave me another reason to make it again. Your appetizers look so good.
Happy New Year!
Thanks, Maureen. Yes, wine and photography don’t go together too well. The focus blurs.
These are the awesome appetizer!
Happy New Year!
Thanks, Angie. Happy New Year.
You are so disciplined – I hope all your hard work pays off and you have a healthy 2013.
I love the way you have used the courgette as a base.
I am trying to be disciplined and it’s actually not so hard when you are aiming for better health. Happy New Year.
Happy New Year Suzanne! I’m glad you didn’t worry too much about photographing dinner… some things are just meant to be enjoyed. Love the wasabi mixed into the cheese in these appies – delightful twist! Funnily, I posted something very similar on FB yesterday. There’s something about smoked salmon and new year’s that just seems to go hand-in-hand ;0). All the best for 2013! (Lovely photo of the ‘youngsters’ by the way… sigh… ;-)).
I know, sometimes the photographing can feel like it intrudes. I think smoked salmon is a great ingredient for appetizers and I am always thinking of new ways to use it and looking out on the net. Happy New Year.
Hi Suzanne,
Happy New Year! I think it’s great that you enjoyed yourself and didn’t bother with the photos:) Besides all I need is that first one and yum! I love these little bites -courgettes and cheese are so good together.
Love the new look. Cheers to a fantastic 2013!! 🙂
Sometimes the second job (blogging) just has to step back and know its place. Happy New Year.
Happy new year Suzanne to you and family 🙂 I love fish pass me some to eat right away!
Happy New Year to you and your family too, Maria.
I’ve learned to never photograph when I’ve had a glass of something — it so rarely works out! And I always prefer to stay at home during these major holidays as well. Great looking appetizer! As you know, I’m a fan of the salmon & cream cheese combo. Love the idea of the zucchini base. Cucumber might taste nice, too. Sounds like you had a great celebration!
I’m sure cucumber would be great, but I am not keen on it, unfortunately. I must say this two weeks at home, as opposed to away on holiday, have been wonderful.
Pretty family!
I love the picture and dish. Who doesn’t love little dainty foods, specially of the low-cal variety?
Thanks, Clara. Low cal is always good.