She Strengthens

Savory Flatbread Delights for a Romantic Evening

A Quick and Easy Appetizer for Two

When it comes to satisfying our cravings for a delicious bagel with lox and cream cheese, we often settle for something less than ideal. But what if we told you there’s a better way? Introducing a mouthwatering flatbread appetizer, topped with a tangy chive crème fraîche and cold-smoked salmon that’s sure to impress.

The Perfect Combination: Crème Fraîche and Smoked Salmon

Crème fraîche, a naturally thickened fresh cream with a rich texture and tangy flavor, is the star of this show. If you can’t find it, don’t worry – sour cream makes a decent substitute. When paired with the velvety smoothness of cold-smoked salmon, the result is nothing short of magical.

Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Evening

To make things even easier, you can prepare the crème fraîche mixture up to a day in advance and refrigerate it in a covered container. This recipe is perfect for a romantic evening in, and its ease of preparation means you can focus on more important things… like each other.

Ingredients and Instructions

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup crème fraîche
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 (11-inch) premade pizza crusts or flatbreads, such as Boboli, baked and cooled
• 2/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 8 ounces cold-smoked salmon, thinly sliced

To prepare, simply combine the crème fraîche, chives, and lemon juice in a nonreactive bowl and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Season with salt to taste. Spread half of the mixture evenly on top of each flatbread, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Arrange half of the onion on one flatbread, top with half of the salmon, and season with freshly ground black pepper. Repeat with the second flatbread, then cut into 2-by-2-inch squares and serve.

The Perfect Beverage Pairing

What’s a romantic evening without a glass of bubbly? We recommend pairing this dish with a Champagne Bollinger NV Special Cuvée from France. The smoky flavor of the salmon is perfectly complemented by the yeasty toastiness of the Champagne, which is partially aged in wood to give it a rich, mellow flavor. The result is a match made in heaven.