Elegant Smoked Salmon Strata Recipes

Steps:

• The night before serving, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons salt, the peppercorns, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on a large flat ceramic or glass dish. Spread the mixture evenly on top of the salmon. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• At least 1 1/2 hours before you plan to cook the salmon, soak the wood chips in water.
• Thirty minutes before you¿re ready to cook, heat the charcoal. Place a double layer of coals on one side of the grill, light them, and allow them to burn until the coals are gray on the outside. (I use a charcoal chimney to light the coals.) Sprinkle half the soaked wood chips on the hot coals (you will see lots of smoke). On the other side of the grill, place the foil pan and pour in 1 cup water. Place the cooking grate over the coals and the pan.
• Scrape most of the sugar mixture off the salmon and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Place the salmon skin-side down on the side of the grill directly over the foil pan. Put the lid on the grill, making sure the top and bottom vents are open. Smoke the salmon for 10 minutes. Add the remaining wood chips directly on the coals and cook for 5 to 10 more minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon, until it's firm to the touch and barely cooked. Don't overcook the salmon or it will be dry!
• Transfer the salmon to a clean platter and immediately cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Remove and discard the skin, if desired, and serve hot, at room temperature, or cold with the Fresh Dill Sauce.
• Place the mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt, cream cheese, scallions, dill, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Puree for a few seconds, until well mixed. Add the cucumber and puree for another few seconds, until combined. Pour into a container and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop.

Steps:

• Place salmon, skin side down, in an 11x7-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with brown sugar, salt and pepper. Drizzle with liquid smoke. Cover and refrigerate for 4-8 hours., Drain salmon, discarding liquid. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until fish flakes easily with a fork, 35-45 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. If desired, serve with capers and lemon slices.

Steps:

• For the everything-bagel strata: Combine the cream cheese and eggs in a blender and blend until smooth. Add the milk and Parmesan; blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Add the dill, blend a few seconds, and then blend in the lemon zest.
• Transfer the custard to a large bowl. Add the bagel pieces and mix to coat, pressing on the pieces to totally submerge them in the custard. Transfer the mixture to a buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours, pressing on the bagels a few times.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• While the oven heats, remove the strata from the refrigerator and place on a baking sheet. Bake until puffed and lightly golden brown at the edges and just set in the center, about 40 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes.
• For the caper relish: Combine the capers, dill, tomatoes and onions in a bowl. Season with a touch of salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• To serve, cut the strata into large round circles (like a bagel) and place on a plate. Top with a few slices of smoked salmon and some of the relish.

Steps:

• Butter 13x9 baking dish.
• Arrange broccoli and half of green onions evenly over bottom of dish. Sprinkle with smoked salmon, Monterey Jack cheese, cream cheese pieces and remaining half of green onions. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.).
• Preheat oven to 375.
• Mix eggs, milk, baking mix, salt and pepper in blender until smooth (or in bowl using beaters).
• Pour batter over salmon mixture.
• Bake casserole until just set in center, about 30 minutes.
• Let cool 10 minutes before serving.