How to make next level salmon en croûte

10 tips for next level salmon en croûte sign

10 tips for the perfect salmon en croûte

1. Cure the salmon for firmness

We’ve given the option of curing the salmon before wrapping it in pastry. This means the fish is perfectly seasoned, giving it a firmer texture. It’s not essential and raw salmon can simply be seasoned with a little salt.

2. Dill and salmon partner well

Fillet of salmon topped with cream cheese and dill

For the filling, we’ve taken inspiration from a smoked salmon bagel by mixing together cream cheese, dill, lemon and, for a hint of smoky flavour, an optional seasoning of smoked salt.

3. Add watercress for pepperiness

Using watercress over spinach in the filling gives it a peppery flavour and there's less chance of the filling becoming watery and making the pastry soggy.

4. Layer the salmon for even cooking

Placing the salmon fillets on top of each other means that the fish takes longer to cook so it isn’t overcooked by the time the pastry is cooked through.

5. Use all-butter puff pastry

For ease, we’ve opted for shop-bought but not all puff pastry is created equal. The all-butter variety gives maximum richness and flavour.

6. Create scales with a spoon

Making scale patterns in pastry with a spoon

We’ve given the optional but easy and effective decoration of rolling the edge of a spoon along the pastry to make a scale effect.

7. Use egg yolk for glazing

To stick the two pieces of pastry together and to give the pastry a deep golden glaze, we’re using just egg yolk not whole egg or milk. For an extra sheen re-glaze the pastry halfway through baking.

8. Prepare ahead for ease

Perfect for parties, once assembled the salmon en croûte will sit happily in the fridge for 24hrs before baking or can be frozen for up to one month. Fully defrost it before baking.

9. Cut into chunky slices

Salmon en croute, cut into slices, with a bowl of pickle

The easiest way to portion the en croûte is to use a serrated bread knife to cut it into thick slices.

10. Serve with pickled salad for contrast

With pastry, fish, greens and a sauce, the salmon en croûte is a self-contained meal but to cut through the richness we've made a lightly pickled cucumber salad. Cucumber and salmon are the perfect partners and this adds a complementary crunch.

See the full recipe for our next level salmon en croûte.