Smoked salmon with fresh dill cream sauce is an elegant but easy dinner to make. Tender smoked salmon, cradled on top of fettuccine, covered with creamy fresh dill sauce.
Living in London, I knew it would not be my forever life. So I tried to be “present” in every moment.
I was imprinting memories. Most of the time, even if I had been out very late, I would walk home from Leicester Square. And, if the moon was full enough for me to feel safe, I would follow the twisting Thames all the way back to my flat, just a short walk from Sloane Square. The city held me in its grip, the history, the architecture, the neat rows of houses with lacquer-black doors and window boxes full of red geraniums, and I didn’t want to miss a moment, not a breath of it.
That walk would take me from Charing Cross, through Westminster and the Houses of Parliament and end up just past the Tate Gallery and Vauxhall Bridge, where Millbank turned into Grosvenor Road in Pimlico. On the South side of the river, I could see Lambeth Palace. I don’t remember ever being afraid, no matter how late in the evening it was. Maybe it was the hubris of youth? I would follow the teasing moon, as he flickered his fingers on the rippling waters of the river. It was impossible to get lost, for the flat was only one block from the Thames.
Many of those nights, my friends and I would end up eating a very late supper. For some reason, smoked salmon fettuccine always seemed to fit the bill. And so, every time I make it, I am transported back to a carefree time, long gone, a distant memory of reckless youth and chasing the moon along the Thames.
It’s such an easy and elegant dish to make, I’m not sure why it doesn’t show up on menus more often. Why not serve it for Valentine’s Day instead of going out for a pricey meal? It’s super fast and very easy! He’ll (she’ll) be eating out of your hands after just one taste! Looking for more ideas to round out your meal for two? How about Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Candied Pecans to start? If you like “Surf and Turf”, how about easy Broiled Lobster Tail with Steak? The end the meal, there is Bananas Caribbean or Strawberry Fool, both take just under 15 minutes to prepare!
Enjoy this smoked salmon fettuccine recipe!
Pasta with Smoked Salmon and Dill
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh fettuccine of course, you can use dried, but fresh isn't really that much more expensive
- 4 oz of smoked salmon diced
- 2 shallots minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons dry white wine I always keep a bottle of good quality Vermouth on hand to use in a pinch
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Fresh dill chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- While the pasta is cooking, saute the shallots in butter over a medium heat, until soft and translucent.
- Add the Vermouth to the pan and cook a minute or two.
- Stir in the cream and cook for a few minutes, until it's reduced a bit and a little thicker. Add the smoked salmon.
- Toss over hot pasta. Add dill and season to taste with salt.
- Serves 4 as a main dish or 6-8 as an appetizer. It's very rich!
Robin Puri says
I was never afraid when I lived in London. I remember the tube did not run all night so if you were out late and a poor student your only choice was to walk home but I never felt afraid. Back then the Bobbys didn’t even carry guns.
The smoked salmon sounds delicious! I am definitely making this – maybe for Valentine’s Day – not sure my Valentine deserves it!
Cynthia says
Your Valentine so deserves it!
Elaine Houghton says
Hi Cyni,
Your Blog’s are wonderful. Every recipe sounds delicious!!! Your writing skills are over the top. Love it!!!
With Love,
Elaine
Cynthia says
Thanks Elaine! I’m having a lot of fun with it!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
This is super enticing! Creamy is best with pasta!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
Such a simple, yet classy dish! Perfect for entertaining as much as it’s a quick, weeknight meal! I agree, I don’t understand why more people don’t make these kinds of dishes at home instead of going out to eat so much!
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says
Love the sound of this dish and that it takes you back to those carefree youth days! Love London too — though must say it is too expensive!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Loving the flavors here. I really enjoy smoked salmon and dill with cream cheese on a bagel 🙂
Heather Tallman says
A meal you can feel good about eating!
Cynthia says
It’s definitely a delicious and rich dish!
Taylor Kiser says
Would love this for a date night in! Looks so delicious!
Cynthia says
Thank you Taylor!
allie says
So glad to have this recipe Cynthia, and hear about your times in London. My son Jonathan is thinking about spending his junior year there in a study abroad program. We have family there too and so I’d love an excuse to visit while he’s there. I received some smoked salmon in a gift basket for Christmas, and now I know just what to do with it. This dish looks extra creamy and delicious!
Taylor Kiser says
Really enjoyed hearing about your memories that this meal brings back! It does look perfect for a date night in! Definitely a must make!
Tammy says
I would love a plate of this in front of my right now! Creamy pasta dishes are my weakness. Looks amazing!! <3
Kelly says
Acid, heat, & texture are seriously lacking in this recipe. I modified by also using Calabrian chili oil and chilis while sauting the onions, red bell pepper, and garlic (peppers & garlic was an add), and also added lemon zest to the sauce and finished with toasted panko, parsley, and capers for the acid.
Cynthia says
Sounds like you’ve created a completely different recipe! However, that’s not at all how it’s made in Britain.
Janice says
Unfair to give this recipe a 2 star, negative review when you didn’t even make it. It’s delicious if you actually tasted it.
Debbie says
Interesting. I would not expect acid nor heat in this recipe. The appeal comes from the simplicity and the smooth richness in the blend of flavors. Perhaps you’re more in tune to a Bobby Flay-ish use of peppers. I think the recipe stands on its own.
Cynthia says
No, there is no heat in this recipe…that would be odd.
Robin says
I’ve made this twice. It’s simply delicious . Perfectly balanced and easy to make.
Cynthia says
thank you Robin! It’s such a simple dish too…in both flavors and ease!
Beverly Woods says
A lovely, gentle recipe. Very easy. We used 18% Table Cream as the heavy cream (in Canada, we call it whipping cream) was completely sold out at our neighbourhood grocer! We loved the will flavour! I’m not a salmon fan but I enjoyed this. A lovely effort put forth by my husband & children for Mother’s Day.
Cynthia says
Thank you Beverly! It is a simple recipe with delicate flavors. So easy too! Happy Mother’s Day!
Susanne Bacon says
Incidentally, I have been making pretty much exactly this recipe for decades now, only adding some sautéed spinach to it sometimes. It is absolutely super yummy and flavorful, and it’s one of my favorite pasta dishes, with or without the spinach. It’s smoky, slightly acidic quality makes it a light dish of which I can hardly ever get enough (I have to slap my hands not to go for … thirds). Thank you for posting this wonderful classic. I need to make it again soon.
Cynthia says
Thank you Susanne! I love it too! So simple and elegant.
Claire says
Pasta, salmon, dill and cream are a marriage made in heaven