Smoked Sardine Brandade Food

SMOKED-SARDINE BRANDADE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cover potatoes and garlic with water and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water, and return to pan.
• Add sardines and their oil. Whisk mixture until combined, then gradually whisk in oil. Add reserved cooking liquid to adjust consistency. Stir in lemon zest and juice and season to taste with cayenne.
• Preheat broiler. Brush bread with oil and toast until golden brown and crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve warm with brandade.

SMOKED SARDINE CAESAR WITH SALUMI AND PAN-CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the dressing, combine the clove of grated garlic and the smoked sardines in a small bowl and mash to a rough paste with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and mix together. Thin the dressing with a tablespoon or so of water, until it has the consistency of thick cream.
• For the croutons, heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan, and then add the smashed garlic cloves, butter, paprika and bread. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the bread turns crisp throughout and darkens on the edges, about 5 minutes. Discard the garlic, and allow the croutons to cool.
• To serve, place the lettuce in a bowl and season with a little salt and pepper. Add enough dressing to coat, and then add the salumi, remaining 1 cup Parmesan cheese, the croutons and mint, and toss.

SMOKED SARDINES RILLETTES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, break up sardines and mash with fork. Work in olive oil, yogurt and crème fraîche. Work in lemon juice and stir in minced chives and pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer. Allow to soften for 30 minutes before serving.

SMOKED TROUT BRANDADE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°. Rub potato with 1 teaspoon oil and bake directly on oven rack until tender, 50-60 minutes. Let cool slightly, then peel. Mash potato until nearly smooth
• Meanwhile, bring garlic, trout, and milk to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat; let sit 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer half of trout to a plate; flake.
• Place garlic, milk, and remaining trout in a food processor along with lemon juice, paprika (if using), and remaining 1/2 cup oil; process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and gently fold in mashed potato and flaked trout; season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer trout mixture to a 1-quart shallow baking dish or four 6-ounce ramekins and top with Parmesan. Bake until cheese is melted and golden brown and brandade is heated through, 15-20 minutes. Serve with bread, meats, cheeses, and grapes.

BRANDADE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish and set dish on a baking sheet.
• Rinse salt cod under cold water, transfer to a sealable container and cover with several inches of cold water. Soak cod in the refrigerator, changing the water every few hours, for 24 to 36 hours. Remove cod from water and cut into evenly-sized pieces.
• Stir cod, milk, thyme, bay leaves, and cayenne pepper together in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook until fish begins to flake; 7 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain; reserve cooking liquid and transfer fish to a bowl.
• Place potatoes and garlic in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.
• Mash cod, a few splashes reserved cooking liquid, and lemon zest together in a bowl. Pour in remaining reserved cooking liquid and potatoes; mash until desired consistency is reached. Stir in 1/2 of the olive oil, lemon juice, and black pepper until smooth. Add remaining olive oil and blend until smooth. Season with salt. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Spread creme fraiche over the top and score the top with a spoon to create a crisscross surface.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned and bubbling, about 20 minutes

SMOKED SARDINE SALAD

Steps:

• Toss the red onion, lemon slices, capers, chopped egg, and sardines in a large bowl. Drizzle the vinegar over the salad, sprinkle on the parsley, and toss gently to combine without further breaking up the sardine pieces.
• Mound the salad on a platter, surrounded by the toasts.