The Driftwood Beach Appetizer (Printable View)

Pale crackers and smoked fish on creamy hummus, garnished with dill, lemon zest, and capers for a beach-inspired starter.

# Ingredient List:

→ Crackers

01 - 3.5 oz pale, rustic-style crackers (e.g., water crackers, matzo, or lavash), broken into pieces

→ Fish

02 - 4.2 oz smoked white fish (e.g., smoked trout, mackerel, or haddock), flaked

→ Hummus Shore

03 - 8.8 oz classic hummus
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

→ Garnish

07 - 1 tbsp fresh dill fronds
08 - Zest of 1/2 lemon
09 - 1 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained
10 - Microgreens (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Spread hummus evenly over a large serving platter, shaping into a gentle shoreline using a spatula or spoon.
02 - Drizzle olive oil over the hummus, then sprinkle smoked paprika and toasted sesame seeds to simulate sand.
03 - Place broken crackers along one edge of the hummus to resemble weathered driftwood on the shore.
04 - Scatter flaked smoked fish over and adjacent to the crackers for a natural, rustic effect.
05 - Top with fresh dill, lemon zest, capers, and optionally microgreens to enhance freshness and presentation.
06 - Present immediately, allowing guests to enjoy fish and hummus with the crackers.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels impressive but takes barely 20 minutes, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of stressing in the kitchen.
  • The smoked fish gives you that sophisticated, restaurant-quality flavor without any actual cooking.
  • It's naturally forgiving and lets you riff based on what's in your pantry.
02 -
  • Don't shred the fish into powder; flake it gently so each bite has actual texture and presence.
  • The hummus needs to be thick enough to hold the crackers without sliding—thin hummus is the enemy of this dish.
  • Prep everything ahead except assembly, and build the platter no more than 20 minutes before serving so the crackers don't start to soften.
03 -
  • Make the hummus layer the morning of if you want, cover it, and just add the toppings an hour before guests arrive.
  • If your crackers are stale, toast them lightly to revive them, but do this just before serving so they don't absorb moisture from the hummus.
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