Crispy Colorado Trout Food

CRISPY TROUT WITH KITCHEN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• If it's convenient, set the serving plates to warm in a low oven (175 degrees F) as you prepare the fish.
• For the sauce, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and thyme and cook them briefly until lightly browned. Add the cream, bring it to a boil and reduce quickly by half. Add the remaining 10 tablespoons butter gradually, pat by pat, whisking until incorporated. When the sauce is smooth and thick, discard the garlic and thyme and add the chives, sherry vinegar, tarragon and salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat two large cast-iron skillets over medium-high heat. Sprinkle both sides of the fish with salt and pepper and dust the skin sides with the flour. When the pans are hot, add enough canola oil to thinly coat the bottom of each and add a fish to each pan, skin-side down. Cook until the skins turn golden brown and opaque doneness creeps into the pink flesh of the fish. You want to cook the fish nearly all the way through on the skin side. Flip the fish and transfer them to a plate to keep warm in the oven. Cook the remaining fish.
• Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of sauce onto each warm plate, top with a trout, skin side pointing up, and serve immediately.

PAN FRIED TROUT

Steps:

• Pat the filleted fish dry with paper towels. In a shallow pan, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Dredge the trout in the flour by pressing it down on both sides and shaking off the excess flour.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet or other nonstick pan over medium high heat and melt the butter in it. Add the olive oil, then when hot, lay the trout fillets skin side down in the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes. Carefully flip with a thin, wide spatula and cook on the other side for another 3-5 minutes until golden brown, nearly opaque and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Don't overcook the fish!
• Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top of the pan fried trout.

CORNMEAL BATTERED TROUT

Steps:

• Mix egg and water and slowly whisk in flour and cornmeal. Add parsley, garlic salt, onion salt, salt, and ground white pepper. Lay prepared fish in batter while oil is heating.
• In heavy skillet (preferably cast iron or non-stick), heat oil over medium-high heat until a 1/2 teaspoon batter dropped into it sizzles and begins to brown. Fry fish for 3 minutes on each side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Garnish with lemon slices and flat-leaf parsley leaves.
• Serving suggestion: Southern tartar sauce (chopped piccalilli mixed with mayonnaise) and hot green pepper sauce.