Description
Ina Garten’s caviar dip elevates classic appetizer ingredients with luxurious flair. Creamy cream cheese, sour cream, and premium caviar create an elegant starter perfect for sophisticated gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese (soft), at room temperature
- 100 g salmon roe (red caviar)
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 2 tbsps (6 g) dill (chopped fine) + extra for decoration
- 2 tsps (10 ml) lemon juice (fresh)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk, half-and-half, or cream
- 1 scallion (chopped fine, use both white and green parts)
- ¼ tsp salt
- A little black pepper (ground)
Instructions
- Whip Cream Base: Utilize a stand mixer with paddle attachment to transform cream cheese into a silky, lump-free consistency within 2-3 minutes, creating a smooth foundation for the dip.
- Blend Flavor Profile: Integrate sour cream, lemon juice, dill, scallions, whole milk, kosher salt, and black pepper into the cream cheese mixture, whisking until harmoniously combined and achieving a balanced, creamy texture.
- Incorporate Caviar: Gently fold approximately 80% of salmon roe into the prepared base, carefully preserving the delicate pearls’ structural integrity and distributing them evenly throughout the dip.
- Presentation Technique: Transfer the luxurious mixture into an elegant serving dish, artfully sculpting smooth peaks and gentle swirls using a flexible silicone spatula to enhance visual appeal.
- Final Embellishment: Crown the dip with remaining salmon roe and delicate dill fronds, adding a sophisticated finishing touch that elevates both aesthetic and flavor dimensions.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany the caviar dip with an array of complementary accompaniments such as sea salt crackers, toasted artisan bread points, or premium kettle-cooked potato chips for an indulgent appetizer experience.
Notes
- Whip to Perfection: Spend 2-3 minutes beating cream cheese until completely smooth, eliminating any lumps for a silky texture.
- Gentle Caviar Technique: Fold salmon roe gently into the mixture to preserve its delicate structure and prevent breaking the fragile eggs.
- Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother blending and more harmonious flavor integration.
- Presentation is Key: Use a decorative serving dish and artistic garnishing techniques to elevate the visual appeal of this luxurious dip.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 114
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 202 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg