Goat Cheese And Black Pepper Biscuits With Smoked Salmon And Dill Recipes

Steps:

• In a bowl, mash the goat cheese with a fork. Add the yogurt, and mix together until smooth. Spread half on one slice of bread, and top with the smoked salmon. Slice the cucumbers very thin, and layer them over the salmon. If desired, season the cucumbers with a little salt and pepper, and squeeze on some lemon juice. Sprinkle the chopped chives or dill over the cucumbers.
• Spread the remaining goat cheese mixture over the other piece of bread. Place on top of the cucumbers, press down and cut the sandwich in half.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Using fingertips, rub butter into dry ingredients until coarse meal forms. Add cheese and buttermilk; stir with fork just until dough comes together (bits of cheese will be visible in dough).
• Pat dough out on lightly floured surface into 3/4-inch-thick round. Using floured 2-inch-diameter cutter, cut out biscuits. Gather scraps and pat dough out; cut out additional biscuits. Arrange on prepared baking sheets and bake 6 minutes. Turn sheets; bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes longer. Cool biscuits on rack. (Biscuits can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Split biscuits in half horizontally. Spread bottom halves with thin layer of butter. Divide salmon among biscuits. Top each with dill sprig and biscuit top.

Steps:

• For the goat cheese filling: Mix the goat cheese, 1/2 cup of the cream cheese, the cream, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, vinegar, 2 tablespoons salt and pepper in the bowl of a mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until well blended and creamy. Remove half of the goat cheese filling to a separate bowl and add in the remaining 1/2 cup cream cheese. Set aside and chill for the cheesy chicken bon-bons.
• For the salmon stuffed endive: Add the salmon, the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the dill and parsley to the first half of the goat cheese filling. Mix to combine well. Check the seasoning; you may want to add some salt or pepper but that will depend on the flavor your salmon has.
• Transfer the filling into a zip-top bag and cut the tip to make a medium opening, or use a pastry bag with a medium tip. The filling is dense so you need a larger opening to pipe it. You can also use a spoon to fill the endive but piping is faster. Pipe the mixture onto the tip of the endive. Keep the endive chilled until serving time.
• To serve, garnish with a bit of lemon zest, a sprinkle of toasted almonds and a bit of the salmon roe if using on top.
• For the chicken bon-bons: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the chicken thighs on a baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 35 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and roast for 10 minutes more (about 15 minutes per pound cooking time, depending on the size of the thighs. To check doneness, pierce the thigh in the thickest part; if the juices run clear, it is likely done). Set aside to cool. Remove the chicken from the bone and mince; not too fine, but not big chunks, either.
• While the chicken is cooling, mix the sour cream, parsley, chives, dill, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne and a big pinch salt into the reserved goat cheese filling. Add the chopped chicken and chill again.
• Select 15 to 20 of the animal crackers for garnish. Put 2 cups of the remaining animal crackers into a food processor and pulse to make them into fine crumbs. Pour the crumbs onto a plate. Using a very small ice cream scoop (so you have consistent size), scoop the chicken mixture and roll into small balls. Roll in the crumbs and garnish with an animal cracker. Do this final step just before serving so the cracker crumbs don't get too damp.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk first 6 ingredients(starting with flour through the black pepper) in large bowl.
• Using fingertips, rub butter into dry ingredients until coarse meal forms.
• Add cheese and buttermilk; stir with fork just until dough comes together (bits of cheese will be visible in dough).
• Pat dough out on lightly floured surface into 3/4-inch-thick round.
• Using floured 2-inch-diameter cutter, cut out biscuits.
• Gather scraps and pat dough out; cut out additional biscuits.
• Arrange on prepared baking sheets and bake 6 minutes.
• Turn sheets; bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes longer.
• Cool biscuits on rack. (Biscuits can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.).
• Split biscuits in half horizontally.
• Spread bottom halves with thin layer of butter.
• Divide salmon among biscuits.
• Top each with dill sprig and biscuit top.
• Serve with a side of sour cream or creme fraiche.