Smoked Salmon Spread
Chef’s Notes: I can always count on my friend Elizabeth to bring this starter to a potluck; it’s a simple dish she learned while working with fishermen in Alaska’s wild salmon country. Smoking salmon is a method of preserving it, making it ideal for camping and fishing trips and an extraordinary replacement to the more traditional lox whipped with cream cheese.For extra zing, I add lemon zest and a medley of fresh herbs. My favorite combination is 1 tablespoon tarragon and 1 tablespoon chives (technically an allium but used like an herb). If you’re harvesting your own chives or buying them from the farmers’ market, track down a few purple chive blossoms for garnish. My favorite smoked salmon is Alaska Gold brand, which you can buy online from the fisher(wo)men and keep on hand in the freezer.
