There are no small parts, just small ingredients
Friday, April 20, 2007 at 9:07AM 
While it is lovely when expectations are met, the greatest performances are sometimes those that are stumbled upon and steal the show entirely.
To more succinct in this particular case, stumbled upon means came home in our grocery bag.
I had intended to make something to satiate a craving for smoked salmon. I had decided upon a sandwich. I had thought I would thinly slice some red onion, sprinkle over some capers and be done with it.
But then the tomatoes arrived; Sean had gone to the store for provisions, and came back with some of the most gorgeous little beauties from the market. Golden yellow, sunset orange and robustly red, the pint of mixed varietals demanded the spotlight.
Their delicate scent courted centre-stage status; a paltry sandwich seemed too gauche for their charms. And so, the smoked salmon was relegated to the chorus line, providing the backdrop to a tomato salad-crowned tartine.
Like any good production, this light lunch offers a play of dramatic contrasts. Heavily silken folds of salmon are undercut with the twang of fresh chèvre and astringent lemon. Juicy tomatoes rendezvous with their long-time companion sweet basil, and take a tumble with saline capers and spiky, fiery red onion.
While I refrained from a standing ovation, an encore is surely deserved.
Smoked salmon and tomato salad tartine
Please forgive my lack of truly specific quantities; you can treat the list as if each item includes the modifier "or thereabouts". This is one of those dishes for which personal taste is paramount. Choose the proportions that work with your taste to best balance the salty, sour and sweet elements.
Ingredients
For the tomato salad
1 1/2 cups small tomatoes (cherry, grape, strawberry), cut into halves or quarters
1/3 cup small diced red onion
2-3 tablespoons capers, rinsed
Basil, cut into chiffonade
Fresh parsley, minced
Lemon zest
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the sandwich
4 tablespoons cream cheese
4 tablespoons chèvre (unaged, fresh)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 slices country bread, or 2 slices halved if large
4-8 slices smoked salmon, depending on the size
Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the tomato salad. Toss gently and season with salt (judiciously) and pepper.
Combine the cream cheese, chèvre and Dijon mustard. Beat until fully-blended and light. Season with pepper.
Lightly toast bread slices under a preheated broiler.
Spread cheese mixture over bread. Top with sliced smoked salmon and a squeeze of lemon juice. Pile tomato salad over all and enjoy.
Makes 4 pieces.
Reader Comments (3)
Hey, it seems we've been having the same cravings of late. (how does that keep happening!) I just bought some smoked salmon before the weekend--it was the first time in a LONG time-- so I had to laugh when I saw your post. Your crostini version looks delicious my dear!
small ingredents but seems delicious
just came across your lovely blog. pleased to be adding another to my reading list!