Smoked salmon, for obvious reasons, isn't something that tends to find its way onto my weekly shopping list. Smoked salmon trimmings, however, well that's a different story. They're ideal for a Sunday breakfast with scrambled eggs or for a mid-week sandwich. I also like to stir them into a simple salad of new potatoes, spring onions, parsley and mayonnaise. Not too long ago I could buy 120g of own-brand stuff for 90p from Morrison's. They don't seem to stock that anymore; instead they're selling 'posh cuts' from the Harbour Salmon Co at (I think) £1.49 for 90g. Still, you can get a 120g packet from Tesco for £1.50. Which works out at £5 a kilo cheaper than their cheapest packet of slices. So the 30g of trimmings in the pasta recipe below costs only 37.5p. Anyway, here's five suggestions for meals to make with the trimmings: pappardelle, smoked salmon, dill serves one 80-100g pappardelle 30g smoked salmon trimmings, finely diced 3 tbsps crème fraîche (or 2 tbsps plus 1 tbsp creamed horseradish) 1 dsp finely chopped dill a squeeze of lemon black pepper Bring a big pan of salted water to the boil, add the pappardelle, and cook as per the instructions on the packet. Meanwhile, mix the smoked salmon, crème fraîche (or crème fraîche and horseradish) and dill together in a bowl. Squeeze in some lemon juice and grind in some black pepper. Stir and taste - add a bit more lemon juice if you think it needs it. When the pasta is cooked, drain it and throw it back into the pan. Add the smoked salmon sauce, give it a good stir and serve in a bowl. bacon du bedat I'm not sure who first came up with this. I know it features in 'A Pike in the Basement' by Simon Loftus. It's a fantastic sandwich. serves one 2 slices good bread 1 dsp mango chutney (I sometimes use a hot pepper jelly instead) 30g smoked salmon trimmings 3 rashers streaky bacon, grilled until crispy small handful of rocket or watercress black pepper Spread the mango chutney onto one slice of bread and arrange the trimmings over it. Arrange the bacon over the smoked salmon, then a handful of rocket or watercress. Grind over some black pepper and lay the second slice of bread on top. smoked salmon pâté120g smoked salmon trimmings 50g cream cheese 1 dsp creamed horseradish 1 dsp lemon juice a couple of grinds of black pepper (and perhaps a little double cream or crème fraîche) Blitz the first five ingredients briefly in a blender. Have a taste. A little too intensely salty? Add a spoonful or two of cream or crème fraîche, give the blender a few pulses and taste again. Add more cream and/or lemon juice until you're happy. baked egg + smoked salmon 1 egg, yolk and white separated 1 tbsp double cream 1 tbsp finely chopped smoked salmon trimmings a little finely chopped dill black pepper salt Whisk the egg white briefly and then beat in the cream, followed by the salmon, dill, pepper and just a suggestion of salt. Pour into a small, buttered ramekin. Plop the egg yolk into the centre. Bake at 180C/160C fan for about 8-10 minutes or so (you should keep an eye on it all the while really) until there's only the slightest wobble factor remaining in the whites (too long and the yolk won't be runny). Serve with buttered sourdough soldiers. smoked salmon + potato tart As you may know, I'll buy a 500g block of ready-made puff pastry, divide it into six pieces, wrap them in cling film and freeze.
The filling in this simple concoction tastes like an elegant fish pie. serves two 2 x sixths of a 500g puff pastry block 100g (peeled weight) potato, in small chunks a slice of butter 75g leeks, thinly sliced 1 egg, beaten 3 tbsps double cream 60g smoked salmon trimmings, diced salt + black pepper Roll the pastry out into two 150mm diameter rounds. Score these about 10mm in from the edge with a sharp knife. Slide onto a baking tray and bake in a 200C/180C fan oven for no more than 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and flatten the insides of the pastry discs so they have a distinct border. Boil the potato in salted water in a small pan until cooked and mashable. Drain. Wipe the pan with some kitchen roll, place back on the heat and throw in a slice of butter. Gently fry the leeks until they've softened and reduced in bulk. Return the potato to the pan and mash roughly. Add the beaten egg, cream, trimmings, and some black pepper. Cook over a low heat, constantly beating with a wooden spoon, until the mixture has thickened a bit. Remove from the heat and taste - you might like to add a little salt, but only a little. Spoon the mixture into the two pastry cases and make a pattern on the tops with a fork. Bake in the 200C/180C fan oven for 15-20 minutes, until the tops are starting to turn golden. Serve with a simple green salad.
27 Comments
Aaditee
11/10/2013 14:13:45
Ahhh, more reasons for me to buy smoked salmon. Sadly, I can't always afford to buy it. When I can though, I am definitely trying all of these out!!
Reply
The Skint Foodie
13/10/2013 10:50:46
My thoughts exactly Kavey.
Reply
MaxWiz
21/10/2013 20:45:50
I have been using Tescos value brand smoked salmon trimmings for years. An excellent tip is to buy them online. Any item not in stock is replaced by a similar item but you are charged for the original. Once per month I by a huge value brand shop. The salmon freezes perfectly well. Frequently many of the value brand is out of stock and we are sent either shops own or good quality branded.
bigbhoona
18/10/2013 12:17:15
Congratulations on the award, skint, very well deserved. Really enjoy your blog. Liked the preserving your anonymity bit in the vid as well.
Reply
The Skint Foodie
19/10/2013 02:47:02
Thank you!
Reply
The Skint Foodie
19/10/2013 02:48:41
Thanks Daniella!
Reply
Gilli
19/10/2013 02:16:31
Sainsburys used to do packets of trimmings. have to see if they still do. Definitely trying the salmon and potato tart. One that would even get the kids eating smoked salmon and good way to make a little go a long way.
Reply
The Skint Foodie
19/10/2013 02:54:54
They probably do; but it's not something they offer on-line or some reason. let me know re price if you find any!
Reply
Gill C
19/10/2013 12:07:00
According to the Sainsbury's website they do basics smoked salmon trimmings @ £1.50 for a 120g pack.
Jill
20/10/2013 08:31:37
Hi, just cooking this! - Sainsburys smoked salmon trimmings are now £1.50 in store, used to be about a pound. Same price at Asda. Great blog : ) 20/10/2013 04:26:05
The Asda (as it is lovingly referred to oop here) does 120g for £1.50
Reply
April Heywood
20/10/2013 03:33:16
I agree wholeheartedly with the principle of using salmon trimmings or any other edible trimmings for that matter. I used to buy them regularly from Morrison's, Tesco's etc but then the quality changed and I stopped. The product became too "gristly" and made for an unpleasant texture in the mouth. It could of course have been an incentive placed by the supermarkets to buy the more expensive kind or perhaps I'm being too cynical.
Reply
jasmine luck
20/10/2013 06:20:51
Just discovered your blog via the Guardian. Amazing stuff, love the recipes. Enjoyable read also.
Reply
Oonagh
20/10/2013 20:08:31
Love the baked egg one, and many congrats on the OFM award.
Reply
Lindsay
21/10/2013 01:48:45
I love your blog and am really pleased you won the award.
Reply
Christine Simm
21/10/2013 15:56:31
Congrats on the OFM award- well deserved and keep up all,of the good work
Reply
I've never seen smoked salmon trimmings for sale here in Australia! What great use you've made of them! I've tried that bacon sandwich (minus the rocket) - found it in a very old Fay Maschler cookbook where she described it as "one of the world's greatest sandwiches". :) Congrats on your recent award - well deserved!
Reply
Jo
22/2/2014 07:49:13
We can buy in Cyprus frozen, for about £7 for 500g. I chop in 4 pieces with a meat cleaver and freeze. If very salty , i run briefly under cold water. Love the baked egg and the tart. I make pâté and pasta a lot and have made soup which reduced the saltiness of one pack.
Reply
The Skint Foodie
22/10/2013 16:44:48
Jasmine, Oonagh, Lindsay, Christine and Celia: Thank you so much all of you. Very, very much appreciated. xxx
Reply
Flossie
22/10/2013 17:52:30
I'm hypnotised navigating around this visually pleasing and beautifully organised website. I get like this in Waitrose too......speaking of which, salmon pieces. Baboom.
Reply
Victoria
4/11/2013 06:02:42
These all look so ridiculously tasty, I'm running down the shop now for some salmon trimmings to try them all (except for the pate - I have a personal vendetta against spreadable meat). The pie looks particularly awesome, and would make a pretty impressive plate to shove in front of someone
Reply
Jen
7/11/2013 14:38:29
We had pappardelle, smoked salmon & dill tonight. The tastiest dinner we have had for a long time. This will definitely be making a regular appearence on our family menu. Thankyou for your delightful recipes, you really do make us happy xx
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
SHORTLISTED FOR FOOD BLOG OF THE YEAR 2014
follow/subscribe:
blog archives:
November 2014
|