Smoked Salmon Rollups

One of my favorite appetizers - it involves salmon lox, what's not to love?! Good water crackers are the best thing to put these on. Or just pop them in your mouth :D

The real trick is to slice it well - we freeze it for 30 minutes before slicing. Sometimes you can do this before the "chill" time. And then use a sharp knife (we use a serrated tomato knife) and then rinse it in water between every other slice. Much easier then.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, smashed
• 1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon spanish paprika, dried
• 1/4 teaspoon lemongrass and chili spice mix (Hot, more if you wish)
• 1 tablespoon dill, finely chopped
• 8 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon

Steps

1. In a stand mixer, add cream cheese, lemon pepper, garlic, and dill.
2. Process until combined and smooth.
3. Lay out slices of salmon on a piece of plastic wrap, slightly overlapping edges.
4. Spoon cream cheese mixture onto salmon evenly.
5. Roll the salmon into a long and wrap tightly.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours. I like to put it in the freezer for the last 30 minutes (makes it easier to slice).
7. Cut roll into 1/4 inch slices, serve on crackers or pieces of bagel.

Makes 24 slices.

Winter Oden Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp miso paste
• 2 cups of beef broth
• 4 Tbsp of mirin
• 1 5x5inch square of nori or 1 3-inch length of konbu
• 1 Tbsp of furikake (optional)
• 8 ounces of mushrooms, torn into chunks
• 4 cups of water
• 1 lb of beef - your choice of cut, although I like tougher cuts here
• 1 lb of tofu, coarsely chunked
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1 bunch of green onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 bunch of kale or spinach, stemmed and coarsely chopped
• 6 ounces of udon noodles

Steps

1. In a large pot, add the water, miso, mirin, broth, seaweed, and furikake (optional).
2. Let the broth simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add the sliced beef to the broth and simmer 20 minutes. Tougher cuts should go longer, which is awesome since this smells up the kitchen so fast.
4. Add tofu, carrots, and greens. Simmer 30 minutes.
5. When there are 10 minutes before dinner, add the udon noodles.
6. Garnish with green onions. Serve hot!

Between 6-10 servings, depending on slurpings!