I loveeeeee smoked salmon. Regular (fresh/frozen) salmon is ok but smoked salmon? I might sell my soul for it. Ok, maybe not sell but smoked salmon is right up there in the echelons of créme brûlée. Give me a bagel with some cream cheese, smoked salmon, a little bit of red onions and capers and I am in H.E.A.V.E.N. The day I made these, I had no bagels in the house and I didn’t want to have it with just the plain old toast. I came across a recipe for mini cream cheese pancakes with smoked salmon and knew I had to make it. The combination of flavors sounded divine! I’ve only had those same flavors together a bajillion times before. What I love best about it is that it’s a tremendously simple thing to make and it’s also the perfect example where a few good ingredients do all the hard work.

I modified the recipe from Evil Shenanigans

Ingredients:
For the pancakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives
1 ounce cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
Smoked salmon

Method:
1. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and chives.
2. In a small bowl cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the egg and whisk until completely incorporated. Whisk in the milk.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until just incorporated and no large lumps remain. Do not over-mix.
4. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Spray lightly with non-stick spray then scoop the batter by the tablespoon into the pan. Cook for one minute on the first side, flip, then cook for an additional thirty seconds, or until the cakes are golden brown and spring back when gently pressed in the center. Remove to a plate to cool while you prepare the rest.

Now here is where my method parted with Evil Shenanigans. I didn’t make the sour cream sauce/topping. I laid down the salmon on all pancakes and then just dolloped cream cheese on some and sour cream on the others and garnished with red onions, capers and dill. Done.

My favorite were those topped like this

These babies make for a simple, elegant and delicious breakfast!

I even took two pancakes that were already topped and sandwiched them together (But I won’t show you proof of that gluttonous act)

Bye For Now…..