Kouka eats

Kouka’s Zesty Catch 🥪
Smoked salmon, arugula, pickled onions, tajín, on crunchy toasted bread with Kouka’s Kream Blend 🧀

This one is for my zesty, boujee queens & kings 👑—definitely not for the weak. That said, you can always tone it down and customize it to your own taste.

Prep Ahead: Pickled Red Onions 🧅
Slow Version (Best Flavor)
Ingredients:
1 large red onion (thinly sliced)
1 cup vinegar (apple cider or white)
1 cup water
1 tbsp sugar or maple syrup
1.5 tsp salt (preferably kosher)
Optional: garlic clove, peppercorns, or dried herbs

Steps:
Thinly slice onion and place in a clean jar
Boil vinegar, water, sugar, and salt; stir until dissolved
Pour brine over onions
Let cool to room temperature
Seal and refrigerate overnight (best after 12–24 hours)

Quick Version
Ingredients:
Red onions,
vinegar,
water,
sugar,
salt

Steps:
Thinly slice onions and place in jars
Heat vinegar, water, sugar, and salt until dissolved (~1 min)
Pour over onions and let cool
Refrigerate

Ready when: bright pink & tender (1 hour to overnight)

Storage: up to 2 weeks in the fridge

Kouka’s Kream Blend 🧀
Ingredients:
Cream cheese (any kind)
Dill (generous handful)
Garlic (1–2 cloves if not already flavored)
Cilantro (optional)
Salt & pepper
Pinch of tajín
Lemon juice (to taste)

Method:
Mix everything until smooth and well combined
Adjust seasoning to your liking

Assemble: Kouka’s Zesty Catch 🥪
Ingredients:
* Bread
* Smoked salmon
* Arugula
* Pickled red onions
* Kouka’s Kream Blend
* Lemon
* Tajín (or sumac)
* Optional: capers, cilantro

Steps:
Slice salmon and season lightly with salt,
pepper, tajín, and lemon

Wash and prep arugula

Butter bread and toast until golden and crispy

Spread a generous layer of Kouka’s Kream Blend

Add arugula, then pickled onions (to taste)

Layer on the salmon, add extra lemon/tajín if you like

Close the sandwich and toast lightly on the outside for extra crunch

Bon appétit, babies 🤍

If you try this, let me know what you think—I’d love your feedback. It’s a bold, unique flavor, and I’m always down to make it even better 💌
-
-
-
-