A simple yet elegant appetiser that combines creamy, smoky and fresh flavours in one delicious bite.
When you need an easy appetiser that looks impressive without requiring hours in the kitchen, these smoked salmon, dill and caper pastry shells are a perfect choice. Crisp pastry shells are filled with a creamy herb-flecked filling, then finished with delicate curls of smoked salmon for an elegant bite-sized treat.
They’re ideal for entertaining, afternoon drinks, brunches, cocktail parties or as part of a grazing table. Best of all, much of the preparation can be done ahead of time, making them an easy option when you’re entertaining.
Ingredients
- Pasteles Bakehouse pastry shells
- 250g cream cheese, softened
- 1–2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp capers, finely chopped
- Smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- Extra dill and capers, to garnish (optional)
- Lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
Method
1. Prepare the filling
Allow the cream cheese to soften slightly so it is easy to mix and pipe. Place it in a bowl and stir through the finely chopped dill and capers until evenly combined.
Taste and adjust the amount of dill or capers to your liking. The capers add a lovely salty contrast to the creamy cheese and smoked salmon.
2. Fill the pastry shells
Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the pastry shells, or transfer it to a piping bag for a more polished finish. Pipe or spoon enough filling into each shell without overfilling.
3. Add the smoked salmon
Cut the smoked salmon into small strips. Gently curl each piece and place it on top of the cream cheese filling. The little curls of salmon give the finished tartlets an elegant appearance.
4. Garnish and serve
Finish with a small sprig of fresh dill and an extra caper if desired. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Entertaining tip
For an especially polished presentation, pipe the cream cheese into the shells rather than spooning it in. Prepare the cream cheese mixture ahead of time and keep refrigerated, then fill and decorate the pastry shells shortly before serving.
The result: creamy, smoky and wonderfully fresh little bites that are as easy to make as they are impressive to serve.