Cheese paste with salmon

I often find smoked salmon in the fridge, leftover from other recipes. If I also have some fresh cheese, I quickly improvise this cheese and salmon spread, great for breakfast but also works well as an appetizer for guests. I've also tried it in the form of balls rolled in seeds or nuts, especially when I want something a bit different from classic toasts.

Quick Info

Total time: about 20-25 minutes
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking time: none needed
Servings: 4-6 (depending on the size of the balls)
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: cold appetizer or breakfast

Ingredients

400 g cottage cheese
50 g smoked salmon
1 small onion
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon paprika
salt (to taste)
150 g seeds (sunflower, sesame, walnut, poppy) or herbs for rolling the balls

Preparation method

1. Peel the onion and grate it finely. If you don't want an intense onion flavor, you can squeeze out some of the juice.
2. Place the cottage cheese in a large bowl and blend it until you achieve a smooth paste. If you don’t have a blender, you can use a fork, but the texture will be more rustic.
3. Add the grated onion, sour cream, salt to taste, and paprika. The paprika is not just for flavor; it also gives the spread a slightly orange color.
4. Cut the smoked salmon into small cubes or thin strips, according to your preference. Incorporate it into the cheese mixture.
5. Mix everything well with a spoon. Taste and adjust the salt if necessary.
6. Place the mixture in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. It will firm up a bit and be easier to shape.
7. Meanwhile, prepare a plate with the seeds or chosen herbs for rolling.
8. Take a teaspoon of the mixture and shape it into balls with your hands. Roll each ball in the seeds, then place them directly on a platter.
9. Repeat until you finish all the cheese mixture. You can alternate the seeds for a more varied appearance.

Why I make this recipe often

I love that it’s quick to prepare, doesn’t leave many dishes to wash, and the ingredients are quite flexible. It’s something I can make from leftovers or with what I already have at home. It keeps well in the fridge for a day or two and can be adapted to whatever I have on hand. For guests, it looks interesting in ball form, and for breakfast, it goes well on bread.

Tips and variations

Tips

The cottage cheese should be as fresh as possible. If it's too dry, add more sour cream.
The sour cream helps with the creamy texture; don’t add too much at first, so the mixture doesn’t become too soft.
If you want a milder onion flavor, use finely chopped green onions.
Always chill the balls before serving; the texture will be more pleasant.

Substitutions

You can also use goat cheese, ricotta, or a neutral spreadable cheese if you don’t have cottage cheese.
The smoked salmon can be replaced with smoked trout or, if you don’t want fish, you can omit it completely.
For a stronger flavor, you can add grated horseradish or a bit of pepper.

Variations

If you don’t want to make balls, the spread can be directly spread on bread or cucumber slices.
You can combine two or three types of seeds for the crust.
Add dill or finely chopped parsley to the spread for extra flavor.
The balls can be left plain, without seeds, if you prefer the classic version.

Serving ideas

Serve on a platter, possibly alongside cucumber slices, radishes, or toasted bread.
They are also suitable for a brunch or picnic, being easy to transport.
You can place a ball on crackers or small slices of bread for more elegant appetizers.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes, ricotta, goat cheese, or any fresh, neutral cheese works. The texture and final taste may vary slightly.

2. What seeds work best?
Sunflower seeds or sesame provide a crunchy crust. Coarsely chopped walnuts add a richer flavor. Poppy seeds are more decorative.

3. What if the mixture is too soft and I can’t shape the balls?
Chill the mixture for at least 30 minutes. If it’s still too soft, add a bit more cheese or drain excess sour cream.

4. Can I use raw salmon?
The recipe is designed for smoked salmon. Raw salmon does not provide the same flavor and is not recommended for this type of cold spread.

5. Do I have to make balls?
No. The spread can also be served as is, spread on bread or served in a bowl.

Nutritional values

Estimation for a medium serving (out of 6 servings):

Calories: approximately 200-220 kcal
Protein: 10-12 g
Fat: 12-15 g (depends on sour cream, seeds, and salmon)
Carbohydrates: 4-5 g (mainly from onion and seeds)
Values are indicative and may vary depending on the cheese used and the type of seeds.

Storage and reheating

Keeps well in the fridge in a closed container for up to 2 days. It’s not recommended to leave it too long, as the salmon and onion may affect the taste if stored too long. No reheating is needed; serve cold. If you want to prepare them in advance, shape the balls and roll them in seeds just before serving to keep the coating fresh and crunchy.

 Ingredients: 400 g cottage cheese, 50 g smoked salmon, salt, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 small onion, 3 tablespoons sweet cream, 150 g seeds (sunflower, sesame, walnut, poppy) or herbs

 Tags:  cheese spread