Author Notes
This may look and seem a bit fussy, but it really is relatively easy for a showstopper party canape that is mouthwateringly delicious. I started making this a few years ago when I got a new mandoline with the waffle weave attachment. I started out by making the sweet potato waffle chips and they seems like a nice vessel for something tasty. Then, while shopping I realized it was Alaskan King Salmon season. It all clicked and our Thanksgiving 2007 had an appetizer I make over and over again now. I try to eat Alaskan salmon exclusively, rather than the overfished or farmed Atlantic salmon. King salmon has a beautiful reddish-peach color and is perfectly fatty enough for tartar. If you can't get king, you can substitute sockeye, just add a bit more olive oil to the tartar to up the fat. Assembly this snack just before serving, the sweet potato waffle chips are delicate and will become mushy if left too long with tartar sitting on top! —meganvt01
Test Kitchen Notes
This tartar was so very good; the cool salmon with spicy shallots and the assertive kick from the mustard was perfect under the dollop of creme fraiche. I used fresh Alaskan sockeye and, as meganvt01s headnote mentioned, it did require a little more olive oil. The sweet potato was a tasty vessel for the tartar, but I found frying the chips a bit fussy. I will definitely serve this tartar again, but may opt to bake the chips or use another vegetable to serve the tartar on. —LLStone
Ingredients
- Sweet potato waffle chips
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1
peeled sweet potatoes (yams) that are fat and round rather than long and skinny
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4 cups
peanut oil (or other neutral high temperature oil)
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salt and pepper
- Salmon Tartar
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4 ounces
wild Alaskan king salmon (or sockeye)
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2 teaspoons
shallot (very finely minced)
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1 teaspoon
dijon mustard
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3/4 teaspoon
whole grain mustard
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1/4 cup
creme fraiche
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2 tablespoons
chives, chopped
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2 teaspoons
olive oil
Directions
- Sweet potato waffle chips
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You'll need your mandoline for this - and the waffle weave attachment. Follow the directions on your mandoline to create a very thin 1/8th inch slice of sweet potato. Make a bunch (you'll end up nibbling on way too many during the cooking process and some tend to break up)! NOTE: if you don't have a mandoline - don't give up. Just carefully slice your sweet potatoes into regular chips the same thickness. They'll still be delicious just not as lacy and delicate looking.
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Preheat your oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees. Cook your waffle chips in the oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. The chips should take about 1 minute, depending on how well the temperature is controlled. They should be cooked and starting to brown on the edges.
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Placed the cooked waffle chips on a paper towel to drain and immediately season with salt and pepper. Cool and get ready for tartar.
- Salmon Tartar
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Remove any skin and bones from your salmon filet. Very finely mince the salmon.
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In a bowl, mix the salmon, mustards, shallot, and olive oil. season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Place about 1 -2 teaspoons of tartar on each sweet potato chip, depending on how big your chips are. Top the tartar with a dollop of creme fraiche and sprinkle some chives on top.
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