Artificial Food Coloring Free Cucumber Rounds with Smoked Salmon
These elegant little bites are proof that impressive appetizers don't need a long ingredient list or a single drop of artificial dye to look stunning on a platter. Crisp cucumber rounds act as the base, topped with a creamy smashed avocado spread brightened by fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and dill — every color you see comes straight from real food. Wild-caught smoked salmon adds a silky, savory richness, while briny capers and optional red pepper flakes give each bite just enough of a kick to keep things interesting. For anyone navigating synthetic dyes in packaged snacks and processed foods, this kind of recipe is a genuine relief — nothing here comes from a bottle of food coloring or a mystery seasoning blend. It's the kind of dish that looks like you spent hours on it but comes together with just a knife, a fork, and a bowl. Serve it at a party, a weekend brunch, or as a light lunch and watch it disappear before anything else on the table does.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the rounds
- 1 large english cucumber
For the avocado spread
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the topping
- 4 oz wild-caught smoked salmon, torn into small pieces
- 1 tbsp capers, drained
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Slice the cucumber into rounds about 1/4-inch thick, discarding the ends. Arrange the rounds in a single layer on a serving platter.
- 2
In a small bowl, mash the avocado with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small chunks remaining. Stir in the lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and black pepper until combined.
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