Smoked Salmon Party Loaf

Normaone's Note:

This is a great party recipe. It can be made well in advance and it looks sensational. You can serve it individually for a dinner party, or cut into larger slices for cocktail parties.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 1.0 loaf

• 36 ounces cream cheese , softened
• 1 cup unsalted butter , softened
• 1 (7 ounce) package store bought pesto sauce
• 6 ounces smoked salmon
• 1 (4 ½ ounce) can chopped black olives

Directions:

1. With an electric mixer, beat 24 oz.
2. cream cheese with the butter until blended.
3. In another bowl, combine 4 oz.
4. cream cheese and pesto.
5. In another bowl, combine the smoked salmon and 4 oz.
6. cream cheese.
7. In another bowl, combine 4 oz.
8. cream cheese with the chopped olives.
9. In a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan lined with plastic wrap, spread 1 cup of butter/cream cheese mixture.
10. Spread pesto/cream cheese mixture on top.
11. Carefully, spread 1 cup of butter/ cream cheese mixture on top.
12. Carefullly, spread smoked salmon mixture on top.
13. Spread 1 cup of butter mixture on top.
14. Spread olive mixture on top.
15. Finally, carefully spread the last cup of butter mixture on top.
16. Cover with plastic wrap.
17. Press firmly and chill until cold and firm, at least 8 hours or up to 3 days.
18. Dropping the individual layers with a teaspoon makes it easier to spread more evenly.
19. To serve, remove top plastic and turn onto a platter.
20. Slice and serve on individual plates.
21. It's nice served with thin slices of bread, toast points, or crackers.

Reviews

[EAT IN AK]

I made this for a dinner party, served with pumpernickel rounds, and garnished it with extra flaked smoked salmon. I tested it out on my co-workers, as we are all into good food and everyone liked it. Here are some of my observations: 1)I only used about 3 ounces at the most of the pesto. 2) I would definitely double the amount of the salmon layer...for a couple of reasons- too much salmon & not enough cheese make it REALLLLY hard to spread (I actually mashed it into little patties & then laid them out like a puzzle kinda!)... also I think it needs a little more salmon in general to pull it off, hence, I used some extra as garnish. 3)This makes a huge amount of spread...so make it for a larger gathering for sure! 4) Lastly, I might try pressing it into a salmon mold next time... very cool for a seafood buffet! Thanks Normaone... the same old salmon spread gets tired around here! Something different is always nice to try!