Mascarpone and Goat Cheese Torta with Smoked Salmon

By Bonnie T

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shelled and salted pistachio
• 6 ounces marscapone cheese or cream cheese at room temperature
• Freshly ground white pepper to taste
• Olive oil as needed
• 1/2 cup finely chopped smoke salmon packed
• 1/2 french baguette cut into slices 1/4 inch thick

Preparation

Step 1

In a small, dry fry pan over medium-low heat, stir the pistachios until lightly toasted and fragrant, about five minutes. Pour onto a kitchen towel and fold the towel over them. Let the nuts cool for two to three minutes, then rub them together vigorously inside the towel to loosen the skins. Pour into a colander and shake over the sink, letting the skins fall through. Chop the nuts into pieces no larger than 1/4 inch. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the mascarpone and goat cheese. Season with white pepper and stir until blended and smooth. Line a deep 3 or 4 cup rounded bowl or mold with plastic wrap, letting the edges hang over the sides. Lightly oil the plastic wrap. Spoon one-third of the cheese mixture into the bowl. Using an oiled tablespoon, pack it down firmly. Spread the smoked salmon evenly over the cheese, packing it down and leveling the top. Spoon in another third of the cheese, packing it down firmly. Sprinkle most of the pistachios evenly over the cheese, reserving some for sprinkling on top. Spoon in the remaining cheese, packing it down firmly and leveling the top. Cover with the overlapping plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the baguettte slices in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in the oven until dry on top, about five minutes. Turn the slices over and toast on the other side until crisp on the edges, but still soft in the center, about five minutes more. Transfer to wire racks and let cool.

To serve, uncover the top of the torta and unmold it onto a large serving plate. Remove the plastic and sprinkle the reserved pistachios on top. Let the torta stand at room temperature for one hour. Arrange the baguette slices around the torta and serve.