You may think the two are inseparable, judging from their usual pairing at Sunday brunches. You can free salmon from bagel bondage. And you'll have more possibilities for your brunch menu. The ultimate in simplicity and elegance is a plate of smoked salmon, garnished with lemon wedges and minced shallots, with a dollop of black caviar to enhance the presentation. Serve this alone or with thin slices of pumpernickel.
Smoked salmon is an excellent match for some fruits and vegetables.
Alternate strips of salmon and cantaloupe or honeydew melon on a serving plate, or lightly brush cream cheese onto Belgian endive leaves and top with salmon strips, or stuff little salmon rosettes into hollowed-out cherry tomatoes. One of the more unusual, but no less delicious, ways to prepare salmon is in a salsa recipe. The dish below combines shallots, tomatoes and lemon, typical salmon enhancers, but with the zing of a jalapeno chile. Spooned into an avocado half, salmon salsa is a delightful entree. If you're still craving something breadlike, serve Chocolate-Cherry Scones.