Savory Salmon and Dill Macarons

Savory salmon and dill macarons are an elegant and interesting variation of the classic sweet macaron of French origin. Here is the recipe to prepare this delight:

Ingredients

For the macaron shells:

• 100 g almond flour
• 100 g powdered sugar
• 70 g egg whites (about 2 small)
• 40 g granulated sugar
• A pinch of salt
• Pastel green food coloring (optional)

For the filling:

• 150 g smoked salmon
• 200 g cream cheese such as Philadelphia
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra dill for garnish

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the macaron shells: sift the almond flour and powdered sugar together. It is important that the mixture is very fine to achieve a smooth surface.
2. Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks with a pinch of salt, adding the granulated sugar little by little until you obtain a glossy meringue and form stiff peaks. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring.
3. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the meringue, mixing with a spatula using bottom-to-top motions, until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy but still thick enough not to be too liquid.
4. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag with a plain tip and pipe small circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a bit of space between each one.
5. Let the macarons rest for about 30 minutes so a crust forms on the surface.
6. Preheat the oven to 150 °C and bake the macarons for about 12-15 minutes, or until they come off the paper easily.
7. While the macarons cool, prepare the filling by mixing the cream cheese with the chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
8. Cut the smoked salmon into strips or small pieces.
9. Once the shells are cool, spread a generous amount of cheese filling on half of the shells, add a few pieces of salmon, a little chopped fresh dill, and top with another shell.
10. Let the macarons rest in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld well.

Savory macarons are an excellent choice for a refined appetizer or aperitif. If desired, you can also vary the filling by substituting dill with chives or adding a touch of wasabi for a spicier flavor.

Fun Fact

Savory macarons are relatively new in the culinary scene and allow for experimentation with a variety of flavors and textures that differ from their better-known sweet version. The contrast between the light crispness of the shells and the softness of the filling is particularly prized, especially when paired with bold flavors like smoked salmon.