SEVEN-LAYER SALMON BITES

Seven-Layer Salmon Bites image

Yield Makes 48 hors d'oeuvres

Number Of Ingredients 9

10 oz whipped cream cheese
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 (6- by 5-inch) oval slices dark pumpernickel sandwich bread (about 1/3 inch thick)
1/2 lb thinly sliced Scottish smoked salmon
1/4 cup salmon roe (2 oz)

Steps:

Stir together cream cheese, zest, lemon juice, chives, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stack bread slices, then trim to form 4 1/4- by 3 1/4-inch rectangles. Arrange rectangles in 1 layer. Spread each with 1 heaping tablespoon cheese mixture and top with a thin layer of smoked salmon (cut to fit with kitchen shears). Make 1 more layer each of cheese and salmon, then top with remaining cheese. Trim edges to make uniform and chill rectangles on a platter until tops are firm, about 1 hour. Cut rectangles into 8 (1 1/2- by 1-inch) pieces, then top each piece with a rounded 1/4 teaspoon roe.