Driftwood Beach Appetizer (Printable)

Smoked fish and hummus paired with crisp crackers create a fresh, beach-inspired starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers

01 - 3.5 oz pale, rustic-style crackers (water crackers, matzo, or lavash), broken into driftwood-like pieces

→ Fish

02 - 4.2 oz smoked white fish (smoked trout, mackerel, or haddock), flaked into bite-sized pieces

→ Hummus Shore

03 - 8.8 oz classic hummus
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

→ Garnish

07 - 1 tbsp fresh dill fronds
08 - Zest of 1/2 lemon
09 - 1 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained
10 - Microgreens (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Spread hummus in a thick, even layer on a large serving platter, shaping it into a gentle shoreline using a spatula or spoon.
02 - Drizzle olive oil over the hummus, then lightly dust with smoked paprika and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds to resemble sandy texture.
03 - Artfully place broken crackers along one edge to mimic weathered driftwood washed ashore.
04 - Scatter flaked smoked white fish atop and around the crackers, varying piece size for a natural appearance.
05 - Top with fresh dill fronds, lemon zest, capers, and optional microgreens for a fresh, beach-inspired touch.
06 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to scoop fish and hummus with crackers.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks impressive enough for guests but requires zero cooking and comes together in minutes.
  • The combination of creamy hummus, smoky fish, and crisp crackers hits every texture at once.
  • It's become my go-to when I want something that feels special without the stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip the smoked paprika—it's subtle but it's the difference between looking beachy and looking like you just dumped fish on hummus.
  • Use good quality smoked fish; thin or watery fish disappears into the hummus and becomes invisible.
  • Assemble everything on the platter just before serving so the crackers stay crisp and the dill doesn't wilt.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds yourself if you can—the difference between pre-toasted and fresh-toasted is subtle but real.
  • Rinse the capers and pat them dry so they don't make the hummus weepy, and consider adding them just before serving for maximum pop.
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