Xanthan Gum Free Whole30 Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rounds
These elegant little bites are proof that a stunning appetizer doesn't need a long ingredient list or complicated technique. Cool, crisp cucumber rounds get topped with a silky cashew cream — made entirely from soaked raw cashews, bright lemon juice, and fresh herbs — then finished with delicate pieces of smoked salmon. Because the cream is blended from whole-food ingredients rather than any gum-thickened or stabilized spread, it's naturally free of the additives that sneak into so many store-bought alternatives. The result is genuinely creamy and rich without anything artificial holding it together. Fresh chives and dill run through every bite, and optional capers add a briny little pop that pairs beautifully with the salmon. These are the kind of thing you set out at a party and watch disappear in minutes — no one will guess they're as clean as they are.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cashew cream
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in cold water for at least 2 hours, then drained and rinsed
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water, plus more as needed
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the rounds
- 2 large english cucumbers, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 4 oz smoked salmon, torn into small pieces
For serving
- fresh dill sprigs, for serving (optional)
- capers, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Drain and rinse the soaked cashews, then add them to a food processor along with the lemon juice, 2 tbsp water, chives, dill, salt, and black pepper. Process until very smooth and spreadable, about 2–3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. If the cream is too thick to spread, add water 1 tsp at a time until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- 2
Arrange the cucumber rounds in a single layer on a serving platter.
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