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A few years ago I was introduced to the gorgeous and unbelievably talented Aida Mollenkamp. So intimidated was I by this lovely lady, that the gawky 11 year-old in me was immediately reawakened. Aida’s endless knowledge about travel and anything food, to her effortless style and impeccable taste are awe-inspiring. In addition, this gal couldn’t be sweeter. Aida has the uncanny ability to impress and charm the pants off of you while simultaneously putting you completely at ease.

If those weren’t all reasons enough to write about Aida, I’m excited to tell you that she has just released her first cookbook, appropriately titled, Keys To The Kitchen. And it’s brilliant. This book is like our generation’s Joy To Cooking, covering fundamental kitchen techniques, offering incredible tips on how to become a better cook and featuring 305 recipes (yes, 305!), all presented in a simple and easy to understand way and jazzed up with Aida’s flair for out-of-the-box ideas. It makes you want to run out to the market, come home, and become a much more adventurous cook.

While perused the pages, featuring delectable photographs by the talented Alex Farnum, I came very close to having to wipe drool off my chin. I couldn’t help but fall in love with the chapters at the end of the book which contain recipe ideas that are perfect for someone who is busy, but still wants to prepare tasty dishes. We’re all big smoked salmon lovers in our house, but until I read Aida’s book I hadn’t thought about preparing it the way she does (see recipe below). Just take the best bread you can find, top it with a smear of creme fraiche (or cream cheese or sour cream), layer on a piece of succulent smoked fish, and top it off with a snip of chives from the garden. We’ve literally made this recipe every Sunday since I got my hands on the book.

Over the past few years I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time with Aida, as well as with a great bunch of other talented and like-minded foodie bloggers. For the past week we’ve been celebrating the book release by partaking in a “virtual dinner party” on all of our websites_ sharing Aida’s recipes, doing giveaways, and engaging in Aida-themed stuff (I had never heard of a virtual dinner party before, but given that I barely get out of the house, a virtual fun is right up my alley!).

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Simple Breakfast Flatbread

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Print Recipe
Author: Catherine McCord
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 2 pieces thinly slices and toasted bread or flatbread such as naan
  • 2 tablespoons creme fraiche, sour cream or ricotta
  • 4 pieces thinly sliced smoked salmon or cured meat
  • 2 chives, chopped

Instructions 

  • Spread the creme fraiche on the sliced bread.
  • Top with smoked salmon and chives.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 1050mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g
Did you make this recipe?Mention @Weelicious or tag #weelicious!

Published August 4, 2022 by Catherine McCord

Categorized in , , ,

About the Author

Catherine is a mama of three. A Kentucky girl living in California. Here’s what I know: all kids can be great eaters and mealtime must be easy. I create simple, healthy recipes the whole family will love.

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Comments

  1. i would love to be a more adventurous cook, i am becoming way too boring lately

  8. i would love to have this book! I’m a chef and always looking for new recipes and ideas. for different ways of cooking and presenting.

  11. I would love this cook book!!! I need to be more adventurous in the kitchen!

  16. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Always looking for something new to streamline combining yummy + healthy.

  18. Wow! I’m always looking for exciting and new recipes, but why I’d hope to win this book is that I really need to take it back to the basics and brush up on those skills first. If this cookbook is similar to Joy of Cooking, then I need it!

  21. Love these recipes!! This cookbook looks like it will be a definite staple in my kitchen!

  23. I love cooking and yet I’m intimidated by it. I’ve been looking for ways to help take the intimidation out of cooking. Having an 18th month old means home cooked meals are so much more important to me.

  35. I am new to your site–I love how you keep it simple and mostly about the food!

  42. Oh, how I love smoked salmon! I put it on a toasted everything bagel with onions. It is actually a very fond memory from my childhood, having brunch after Sunday school. Thanks for the giveaway!

  57. What a wonderful book to giveaway. I would love to learn more from the expert. 🙂

  66. Love Aida! The book looks like a work of art. Think I’ll try the recipe with a pear buckwheat bread from a local bakery. mmmmm

  67. Loooovvvvve Aida! The book looks like a work of art! I think I will try the smoked salmon with a pear buckwheat bread from a local bakery – love a touch of sweet with my smoked salmon!

  74. I’d like to do this as a vegetarian version….maybe with avacado instead of meat? Mm, yes, sounds good!

  75. I try to offer international giveaways as often as possible! Unfortunately, it is up to the company giving away their product where they’re able to ship. Sometimes it is just too expensive for companies to ship internationally. I hope you continue to enter giveaways and find value in this site!

  76. I’ve been receiving Weelicious emails for a long time now, and recently “liked” the site on Facebook. I enjoy the ease of updates in my news feed. I’ve purchased several advertised items that I love, including two planet boxes and two Wawabots water bottles. I use your recipes all. the. time. I’m a bit sad that this particular giveaway is for US residents only. I’m sure I’m not the only loyal Canadian fan…

  81. This simple recipe could pass for an appetizer, snack, or breakfast dish! It looks fantastic!

  84. I need all the help I can get re cooking. Thanks for your great recipes and ideas. Cookbook looks grear.

  97. This looks like a great concept for a cookbook. If I’m not lucky enough to win the giveaway, I’ll have to check it out at the bookstore.

  100. Looks delish as I dream of the post prego days to come where I can enjoy all things smoked and unpasteurized…. and sushi, oh my!

  101. Oooo, well I’d love to put myself in this contest!! I’ve been eyeing this book for awhile!

  102. I had a dish very similar to this at an airport restaurant (of all places) one time, but with crab salad instead of the creme fraiche. It is so simple and delicious, now I know just how simple it would be to make. It was really tasty with a glass of white wine!

  103. I collect all kinds of cookbooks, and would love to add this one to my collection!

  104. I loved watching Aida on Food Network. Her Shoyu Chicken is soooo good! I bet her book is great. Thanks Catherine!

  106. you are a terrific cheer leader for this book, if i dont win it i will put it at the top of my christmas list, my list for me that is.

  110. […] // Breakfast Flatbread with Creme Fraiche and Smoked Salmon Photo by Hugh Forte of Sprouted […]

  111. I love the Joy of Cooking and would love a jazzy version. mamagatzemeyer at gmail dot com

  115. I loved watching Aids on cooking channel. Can’t wait to hopefully read her book

  124. Thank you so much for this simple recipe .. I LOVE smoked salmon and will try this recipe soon. And thank you for the giveaway too!

  125. I’m ordering one today!! Going to a Xmas present along with Weelicious cookbook to many friends and family this year 🙂

  130. Looks like a wonderful cookbook! Thank you for the opportunity to win – great!

  145. I pinned it on pinterest with the hashtag 🙂

  146. that flatbread made me drool! can’t wait to check out her book.

  148. So happy to hear about Aida’s cookbook. I’ll definitely put this on my wishlist. 🙂

  151. What a great giveaway. Thanks for offering the chance to win. I love Aida’s recipes. The flatbread looks yummy.

  153. Would love to learn more about Aida — have seen her on Food Network a few times!

  158. Would love to get my hands on that book! Thanks for entering me in the contest.

  163. I too enjoy aid mellenkamp on the Food Channel…it’s important that we learn about what we are eating…The View on TV has a Fat Show with ideas like more vegetables and more exercise

  165. Thanks for sharing this! If I don’t win, I’m definitely buying the book, 🙂

  167. Sounds like a wonderful book. Can’t wait to try some of the recipes.

  168. Thank you for the opportunity. I’ll definitely be checking out this cookbook.

  171. I would love to win… 🙂 🙂 🙂

    good luck everyone.. 🙂 🙂

  178. Omg this book sounds amazing! I will have to check it out even if i don’t win it!

  187. Looks inspiring — will have to check it out either way — thanks for introducing her!

  188. Looks interesting and inspiring…always looking to make dinner a little more interesting!

  193. I really need to amp up my kitchen skills. I’ll be checking this book out!

  198. Love Aida! Her cookbook sounds amazing! Can’t live without Weelicious recipes in our house either:)

  200. The Joyvod Cooking is one of my all time favorite cookbooks, so if this is a more modern version, I must have it! Thanks for the chance!

  201. Love everything about this giveaway! Hope to win because I love Aida! The smoked salmon recipe looks so quick and easy but also delicious!!

  202. I love reading cookbooks, sometimes I do so in bed at night instead of a novel. This one will be added t my list. Thank you!

  205. Recipe sounds great! We are fortunate as the internet generation to have so many awesome food bloggers for inspiration just a mouse-click away. But I still like using real cookbooks best.

  207. Cookbooks are so fun to me. I could never have too many, and I could never have enough! Thanks for the chance to win another!

  211. As a new stay at home mom I’m always looking for advice and new recipes to try. Thanks!

  213. Long time fan of Aida. I would love to be able to ask her a string of questions. Maybe her book answers them all!

  215. “accomplished”, I may never be, but “adventurous” definitely! Would love to receive this prize! Thanks for giving everyone the opportunity.

  216. I am looking for new things to try cooking for my family! (I love the weelicious recipes!)

  219. Yum! I am a cookbook junkie! I LOVE to read them like books and am very picky about the photos and the flow of the book and from your pictures, I AM SO EXCITED TO GET MY HANDS ON THIS WINNER!!! Thanks so much for sharing!

  221. Have seen Aida on cooking shows, but dont have much experience with her recipes. I’m a cook book junkie and would love to check it out!

  225. I Love Aida’s recipes!! She has so many amazing recipes as does Weelicious!!

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