Prep time:

Cooking time:

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Serves: 20

200g fresh salmon

5g rock salt

35ml vodka

10g dill

50g cooked beetroot

For the oatcakes

225g oats

60g plain flour

½tsp bicarbonate of soda

60g salted butter

1tsp salt

½tsp sugar

70ml hot water

Here, Nicci Gurr shares a sumptious salmon gravadlax canape recipe. Details included to make your own oatcakes though you can always buy a packet to save on time.

Salmon preparation

Finely chop the raw salmon, put in a bowl, add half of the chopped dill, the vodka and the salt, cover and leave in the fridge overnight. 

Method for oatcakes (or buy a packet of mini oatcakes)

  1. Place the oats, flour, bicarbonate of soda, butter and sugar in a blender until you have fine crumbs (you can blend by hand if you prefer a coarser mix). Add the warm water slowly until a dough-like consistency is formed. Sprinkle flour on a work surface, then roll the dough to about a £1-coin thickness and cut out 1-inch circles (a shot glass is good for this if you don’t have a cutter).
  2. Bake at 180C for 10-15 minutes until cooked all the way through. Allow to cool before serving.

1 hour before serving

  1. Take the salmon mix out of the fridge, add the finely chopped beetroot and place back in the fridge.
  2. Place a blob of crème fraiche on each cooled oatcake, then about ¾ of a teaspoon of the salmon mix, garnish with the remaining dill

Wine+

Salmon usually calls for a glass of bubbles for the refreshing acidity. But the beetroot gives this dish added character so we’ve gone for a rosé fizz from the Loire Valley in France. Made from Pinot Noir, Langlois Crémant de Loire from the Secret Cellar (£18.00), is packed with berry and light spice notes which gives it enough power to match the beetroot perfectly.

Raspberry trifle

Crafted by Professional Chef James Palmer Rosser, this luxurious raspberry trifle brings a touch of elegance to the festive table — a show-stopping dessert sure to impress guests throughout the Christmas season.

Pork, apricot & sage pie

A classic British pie – golden pastry, tender pork, sweet apricots and a light sage jelly to finish. It looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make ahead.

Barbury duck breast with fondant potatoes, beetroot relish, crispy kale & carrot purée

Created by Professional Chef James Palmer Rosser, this elegant duck dish is a refined festive treat, perfect for impressing and delighting guests over the Christmas season.