Salmon Tartare (French starter)
Main ingredients:
 | Fresh salmon fillets |
 | Capers or small pickles (cornichons) |
 | (Optional) avocado |
 | (Optional) red onion |
Spices, herbs and flavoring ingredients:
 | Lemon juice |
 | Olive oil |
 | Chives |
 | Kosher salt |
 | Freshly ground pepper |
If you enjoy sushi and sashimi, you will love salmon tartare. Known as tartare au saumon, the French recipe is gluten-free starter that features the delicate taste of fresh wild salmon with very little accompaniments, similar to the Japanese sushi.
The word “tartare” is used to designate other raw and chopped dishes such as steak tartare, tuna, zucchini, etc. Usually served as an appetizer or starter in France, the salmon tartare is very easy to prepare.
And as long as you get your salmon from a reputed poissonerie (fish store), you know the dish is going to be delicious. (If you are not sure about eating raw salmon, you can also substitute in smoked salmon.)
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Salmon Tartare Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 450 g of fresh salmon fillets boneless with skin removed
- 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of chives
- 2 tablespoons of capers, chopped small pickles, or cornichons
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Optional
- 1/2 chopped red onion
- 1 chopped avocado
Instructions
- Cut the fresh salmon filet into thin slices lengthwise, and then crosswise into small cubes.
- In a bowl, combine the other ingredients for the flavoring (olive oil, juice of the lemon, salt, pepper, chives, capers, etc.)
- Mix the salmon, flavoring, and any optional ingredients together.
- Place a cookie cutter about 7.5 cm (3 in) in diameter on a plate and fill with tartare. (Alternatively, you can serve it in a glass.)
- Press the tartare with the back of a spoon to even the surface.
- Unmold gently. Repeat to form the other portions.
- Put in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Serve when ready.
Nutrition
Please note: We are not certified nutritionists and these estimates written and produced for entertainment purposes only.
What main dishes should you serve with a salmon tartare?
Since the salmon tartare is quite light, you could serve a main dish such as potatoes au gratin, or a coq au vin. For dessert, why not a chocolate mousse and an armagnac digestif?
What drinks should you serve?
Since the taste of the fish is rather nuanced, you will want to avoid red wine with the tartare.
A light chilled white, such as an Alsace Pinot Blanc or a Reisling will bring out the flavors of the salmon. You can read more about French wines here.
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