Smoked Trout And Fingerling Potato Cakes Food

SMOKED TROUT AND POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the onion slices in a bowl of ice water. Cover the potatoes with water in a pot; add a pinch of salt, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly; pat dry.
• Meanwhile, whisk the creme fraeche, vinegar, olive oil and mustard in a large bowl to make a smooth dressing. Stir in the dill. Drain the onion, pat dry and add to the dressing. Add the potatoes and cucumber, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
• Divide the watercress among 4 plates and add some potato salad to each. Flake the trout with your fingers and scatter on top. Serve with pumpernickel bread and/or pickled beets, if desired.

SMOKED TROUT SALAD WITH GRILLED FINGERLINGS POTATOES AND MUSTARD-DILL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the grill for direct grilling, high heat.
• Toss the potatoes with the canola oil, 2 tablespoons chopped dill, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer to a grill basket and grill, tossing occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Combine the mayonnaise, cider vinegar, horseradish, mustard, honey, and salt and pepper to taste, and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.
• Drizzle some of the dressing over the bottom of a large serving platter or shallow bowl. Pour the warm potatoes on top. Scatter the Smoked Trout over the potatoes, then the watercress and dill fronds. Dust with more smoked paprika and drizzle a generous amount of dressing over all.
• Combine the salt, sugar and 4 cups water in a 4-quart container and stir until the salt has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the trout, making sure they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
• Remove the trout from the brine, rinse thoroughly with cold water and pat dry. Place the trout skin-side down onto a rack set in a half sheet pan. Dry in the refrigerator until the skin becomes shiny and somewhat tacky to the touch, 21 to 24 hours.
• Prepare the smoker using the alder or applewood chips so that it maintains a temperature of 150 to 160 degrees F.
• Place the trout onto the smoking racks, skin-side down, separating them by at least 1/4-inch and place into the smoker. Adjust the heat as needed and cook until the fish has cooked through, darkened in color around the edges and has the desired level of smoke flavor, about 20 minutes. Remove from the smoker and cool. Remove the flesh from the skin and gently break into big chunks.

HALF SMOKED TROUT WITH ONION RELISH AND FINGERLING POTATO

Steps:

• Cut the head of the trout and separate the fillets season each fillet with the smoked salt and reserve. Split the potatoes in half lengthwise and cooked them covered with water and a dollop of butter. Cut the onions in large dice and cook them in olive oil until tender, deglaze with balsamic vinegar, do not reduce. Place the fillets skin down and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the flesh is no longer translucent.

SMOKED TROUT, VODKA CREME FRAICHE AND CRISPY POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the potatoes in a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and stir to evenly coat the potatoes. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, until the potatoes are soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. While the potatoes are still warm, gently press down on each one with the back of a pan or the side of a knife so it flattens to about 3/4 inch but stays intact (it's okay if the edges crack a bit, as they will get extra crisp when fried). Heat about 4 inches of canola oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Once the oil reaches 350 degrees F, fry the crushed potatoes, in batches, for 5 to 6 minutes, until they become golden and crunchy. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
• Make the vodka creme fraiche: Combine the creme fraiche and vodka in a mixing bowl and whisk vigorously to whip and combine. Season lightly with salt. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Prepare the toppings: Carefully flake the trout fillets into small bite-size pieces. Fry the shallots: Separate the shallot slices into rings. Lightly dredge the rings in the flour. In a saute pan, heat 1/2 inch of olive oil to 350 degrees F. Fry the shallots for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and immediately season with kosher salt. To assemble, place a small dollop of vodka creme fraiche on each piece of potato and top it with a piece of trout. Garnish with the radish sprouts, chives and fried shallots. Season with fleur de sel and drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil.