The Standards: Lemon and Herbs

• Lemon, the standard seafood accompaniment, also works well as a spritz for smoked salmon. In moderation, lemon enhances the flavor of fish. A few freshly squeezed lemon wedges should suffice in complementing the salmon. Herbs are likewise commonplace when preparing seafood dishes. While dry herbs are acceptable toppers, if your other toppings are fresh, it would be best to use fresh herbs. Dill is particularly popular in smoked salmon dishes. Other delicate herbs such as tarragon and chives are suitable choices, depending on the rest of your ingredients. Capers frequently embellish salmon, though they are usually pickled rather than fresh.

Light, Tangy Dairy Products

• Cream-based condiments such as crème fraîche and sour cream are standard smoked salmon toppings. Crème fraîche is essentially French sour cream, except its flavor is slightly less sour and it contains a little more fat. Its consistency is similar to yogurt, and it yields a smoother sauce than American sour cream. Many U.S. grocery stores carry it, but sour cream is a reasonable alternative. Cream cheese and Greek yogurt are also suitable options. A simple sauce made of crème fraîche, fresh dill or chives and lemon juice is common on smoked salmon canapés and would likewise complement a whole smoked salmon.

Veggie Toppers

• If you want a heartier or more substantive topping than herbs or sauce alone, consider the green vegetables available in spring, which pair particularly well with salmon. Fennel, green onions, leeks, cucumbers, pea pods and sugar snap peas all have a freshness that offsets the slightly oily salmon flesh while matching its vibrant flavor. Sliced radishes and red onions are often served with smoked salmon. Many other spring vegetables work well with salmon, particularly early root and bulb vegetables. Turnips, parsnips and new potatoes complement the fish well. The acidity of tomatoes and even peppers cuts through the fatty acids that make salmon so healthy and flavorful, and they won’t overpower the dish if you use mild varieties in moderation.

Preparation and Presentation

• A whole smoked salmon is a visually impressive dish, and the best toppings accent the fish without overwhelming it. Smoked salmon toppings range from artful to rustic. In most cases, however, the ingredients are thinly sliced or naturally fine in texture so that the salmon remains the focus of the dish. Many toppings include an ingredient that is equally as colorful as the bright pink salmon. Thin slices of red and yellow tomatoes, multicolored root vegetables or green veggies such as cucumber and scallions complement the vibrancy and flavor of smoked salmon. You can distribute a dairy-based sauce evenly by spooning a broad stripe of the sauce down the length of the fish. For a more elaborate presentation, however, you could pipe dollops of sauce in star or petal shapes with a cake decorator's piping bag. If you prefer a light and simple topping, sprinkling fresh herbs on the salmon is a quick, easy way to add flavor and color to the dish.