Salads often get an unfair reputation. They are frequently seen as the “safe” option on the table — light, quick, healthy, but rarely exciting. Yet the way we experience food goes far beyond flavour alone. Appearance, aroma, texture, and presentation all shape how satisfying a dish feels, and how these sensory characteristics play an important role in emotional response and overall enjoyment.
That is exactly why a salad can become far more interesting when it is built around contrast. Something crisp, something creamy, something fresh, something savoury — these elements work together to turn a simple dish into something much more memorable.
This smoked salmon layered salad was created with exactly that idea in mind. Artisanal Smokin’ Brothers smoked salmon is paired with crisp apple, cucumber, and celeriac, then layered with a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, wholegrain mustard, and a gentle touch of wasabi. Served in a glass, it becomes a fresh and elegant starter that feels refined without being complicated.
The result is a balanced dish with plenty of texture and character, perfect for a special occasion.
Ingredients (serves 4 glasses)
For the salad:
- 200g Smokin’ Brothers smoked salmon (tail cut)
- 100g apple
- 100g cucumber
- 100g celeriac
- 2 spring onions
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- sugar, salt and pepper to taste
- a handful of dill
- crispy onions
- watercress
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp wasabi
- 1 tsp wholegrain mustard
- lemon zest
- salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Dice the apple, cucumber (it is best to remove the watery centre with a spoon), and celeriac. Place everything in a bowl.
2. Prepare the dressing by mixing the mayonnaise, sour cream, wasabi, wholegrain mustard, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Add it to the vegetables and adjust the seasoning with salt, sugar, and pepper.
3. Cut the smoked salmon into cubes, finely chop the dill, and slice the spring onions into thin strips. Combine everything in a second bowl and season with the lemon juice.
4. Take fairly wide glasses and start assembling the salad in layers: first a layer of vegetables, then a layer of salmon, alternating until the glass is filled.
5. Finish with crispy onions and a few sprigs of watercress to add freshness and a crunchy texture.
Serving a salad in a glass is an easy way to make it more interesting. The layers remain visible, the colours stand out, and each spoonful brings together different textures and flavours.
If you’d like to experiment with more pairings using smoked salmon, you can explore our full range of products here.