Recipe for: Spider Sandwiches with Fish Paste - photo 1
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Recipe for: Spider Sandwiches with Fish Paste

Appetizers halloween 45 min Medium 0 views ~14.40 PLN * - (0)
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Description

Spider sandwiches with fish spread are an impressive autumn appetizer perfect for Halloween — a combination of smoked mackerel with delicate cottage cheese and fresh herbs served on dark rye bread. The bold, slightly tangy flavor of the spread balances the richness of the fish; the decoration in the form of "spiders" made from black olives and chives gives the sandwiches a theatrical appearance. This dish works great as a party snack: easy to serve, can be made in advance and chilled, and thanks to seasonal additions (fresh dill, lemon) has a fresh, vibrant character. Serve with pickled cucumbers, gherkins, or pickled onions, alongside a glass of chilled cider or light white wine.

Ingredients Used

Ingredients (15)

Servings:
4
  • Rye bread 400 g
  • Smoked mackerel 200 g
  • Semi-fat cottage cheese 150 g
  • 18% cream 50 ml
  • Onion 0.5 pcs (~75 g)
  • Lemon 0.4 pcs (~30 g)
  • Black olives 80 g
  • Rapeseed oil 15 g
  • 🌿 Spices
  • Dill 0.5 bunch (~10 g)
  • Salt 1 g
  • Black pepper 2 pinch (~1 g)
  • Smoked paprika 1 tsp (~2 g)
  • Chives 0.2 bunch (~20 g)
  • ✨ Optional
  • Cheese 30 g
  • Capers 30 g
💰 Estimated dish cost: ~14.40 PLN (3.60 PLN/serving)
* Prices missing for some ingredients

💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used

Preparation steps

Fish pasta

1

Prepare the ingredients: check the mackerel for bones and skin. If you have a whole mackerel, separate the flesh from the skin and bones with a kitchen spoon. Flake the flesh with a fork in a bowl into smaller pieces.

Ingredients: smoked mackerel
Use two forks to shred the mackerel or your hands while wearing disposable gloves. The bowl should be medium-sized, preferably glass or stainless steel.
2

In a pan, heat a tablespoon of rapeseed oil over medium heat. Peel the onion and chop it into small cubes (about 3 mm). Sauté the onion for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and slightly golden; do not burn.

Ingredients: Rapeseed oil, Onion
Use a pan with a diameter of 20-24 cm. The onion should be translucent and soft — that's a sign that it's ready.
3

Add the sautéed onion to the shredded mackerel. In a bowl, add semi-fat cottage cheese and 18% cream. Squeeze the juice of a lemon (about 30 g), add finely chopped dill and smoked paprika.

Ingredients: Onion, Semi-fat cottage cheese, 18% cream, Lemon, Dill, Smoked paprika
If you are using grainy cottage cheese and want a smooth paste, you can mash it with a fork or briefly blend it with an immersion blender beforehand.
4

Thoroughly mix the paste: use a wooden spoon or spatula and knead the mixture until the ingredients are evenly combined. Taste the paste and season with salt and pepper. Remember that mackerel and olives are salty — add salt gradually.

Ingredients: smoked mackerel, Semi-fat cottage cheese, 18% cream, Salt, Black pepper
Mix vigorously for 1-2 minutes. The spread is ready when it is creamy, not too watery, and holds well on a slice of bread.

Preparation of sandwiches

5

Cut the rye bread into slices about 1 cm thick. Preheat the oven to 180°C with the convection function or set it to grill. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and gently brush both sides with rapeseed oil using a brush.

Ingredients: rye bread, Rapeseed oil
The best is a standard baking tray measuring 30x40 cm. If you don't have a brush, drizzle the slices with oil using a teaspoon and spread it out.
6

Toast the slices for 6-8 minutes in the oven until the edges become crispy and the surface is lightly golden. Flip the slices halfway through the time to ensure even browning.

Ingredients: rye bread
The time depends on the oven — watch the slices from the 5th minute. The finished slices are crispy on the outside and stable under the spread.

Assembly

7

On each warm slice, spread 1-2 tablespoons of fish paste evenly, leaving the edges free. The paste should have a creamy consistency, not runny — if it is too thick, add a teaspoon of cream.

Ingredients: Semi-fat cottage cheese, 18% cream, smoked mackerel, rye bread
Use a butter knife or spatula to spread evenly. Warm slices will help gently stick the paste.

Decoration

8

Shape the "spiders": place half an olive (cut lengthwise) in the center of each slice, which will be the body. From the remaining olives or chives, form 8 "legs" — spread 4 on each side of the paste, gently pressing the ends into the paste to hold them in place.

Ingredients: Black olives, Chives, Semi-fat cottage cheese
If the olives have pits, remove them before slicing. Long chives are best for the legs — use tweezers or your fingers to place them.
9

Add the spider's "eyes": small dots of yellow cheese (optional) or dots of mayonnaise on an olive. If you are using capers, you can place one caper as an eye instead of cheese.

Ingredients: Cheese, Capers
Use the end of a teaspoon or a toothpick to place tiny dots of cheese or mayonnaise. You can also add capers for a tangy touch.

Serving

10

Arrange the sandwiches on a platter. Lightly sprinkle with smoked paprika for extra color and aroma, and fresh dill. Serve immediately or chill for up to 30 minutes before serving.

Ingredients: Smoked paprika, Dill, Black olives
Serve the sandwiches on a dark platter or board to contrast with the decoration. Do not store them for too long with olives on top, as they can soften the bread.

Fun Fact

💡

In Poland, fish snacks have a long tradition, especially in the northern part of the country. Smoked mackerel has been popular since the cooler months, and decorating dishes in the shape of animals is a practice used at children's parties and themed events.

Best for

halloween przyjęcie impreza zimne przekąski

Tips

🍽️ Serving

Serve the sandwiches on a large platter with some accompaniments: pickles cut into sticks, pickled onions, and lemon slices. For a vegetarian version, replace the mackerel with roasted eggplant or a white bean spread with smoked paprika.

🥡 Storage

Store the fish paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. It’s best to keep the slices separate and decorate just before serving to maintain their crispiness. If the sandwiches have been chilled, take them out 10–15 minutes before serving so the paste isn't too hard.

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Additions

Recipe Categories

Appetizers
Appetizers in: halloween

Scary appetizers that will delight your guests and put them in the Halloween spirit.

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halloween
halloween

Halloween is a time when culinary traditions take on a dark and mysterious character. It's an opportunity for fun, creativity, and experimentation in the kitchen, where dishes take on unusual forms. In many countries, children dressed as ghosts and monsters run from door to door collecting candy,...

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