Smoked Trout Salpicon Food

SMOKED SALMON AND TROUT WITH CHIVE OIL

Steps:

• Toss the mesclun, or your choice of salad greens in a bowl with the juice of one lemon, plus the vinaigrette. Divide equally onto plates, mounding the greens in the center. Divide the salmon and trout fillets evenly among the plates, arranging them around the greens. Sprinkle the capers and onion around the fish. Drizzle one teaspoon of chili oil over the fish on each plate.
• Artfully arrange a dollop of sour cream on each plate and top the sour cream with caviar.
• Dust the plate with some chopped fresh chives and serve with country-style pumpernickel bread.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a sharp blade, process the vinegar, mustard, honey, shallots, salt and pepper until the shallots are finely chopped. With the processor running, add the oil in a small stream until all the oil has been incorporated and the dressing has achieved a silky, smooth texture. The dressing may be stored, covered, for up to one week in the refrigerator, but should be brought to room temperature before using. Yield: 1 cup;

SMOKED TROUT DIP WITH PICKLED VEGGIES AND QUAIL EGGS

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to medium heat (per manufacturer's directions) and add the wood chips.
• For the trout dip: In a perforated half-200 or 2-inch deep pan, rub the fish with the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put the fish into the smoker and allow to smoke for about 15 minutes. Remove and let cool, then pick flesh into large pieces.
• Mix the smoked trout with the lemon juice, olive oil, sour cream, chives and dill. Season with salt and set aside.
• For the pickled veggies: Put the haricots, shallots and cauliflower florets in their own bowls. Heat the vinegar and sugar and a pinch of kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Stir, then pour over all the veggies individually until fully covered. Allow to cool completely to room temperature.
• Bring one quart water to a boil in a small saucepan. Drop the quail eggs into the water and simmer for 2 minutes. Put directly into an ice bath. Peel when cooled, then quarter into wedges and reserve.
• Rub the toasted bread with the garlic and sprinkle with the flaked sea salt. Drizzle with the finishing oil. Slice the bread into 1-inch-thick planks.
• Add the trout dip to a serving bowl and top with the pickled veggies and quail egg and garnish with the dill. Serve with the bread.

HOT SMOKED TROUT

Steps:

• Combine the salt and water in a 4-quart container and stir until the salt has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the trout filets, making sure they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.
• Remove the trout from the brine, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry. Place the trout, skin side down onto a cooling rack set in a half sheet pan. Dry in the refrigerator 21 to 24 hours or until the skin becomes shiny and somewhat tacky to the touch.
• The next day, turn the smoker on so that it maintains a temperature of 150 to 160 degrees F. Place the trout onto smoking racks, skin side down, separating them by at least 1/4-inch and place into a smoker. Adjust heat as needed and cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the fish is, cooked through, has darkened in color, and has the desired level of smoke flavor.
• Serve with a green salad, incorporate into a dip or eat as an appetizer. Refrigerate unused portions in an airtight container for up to a week or vacuum seal and refrigerate for up to a month.

SMOKED TROUT SPREAD

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in the bowl of your food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process using onoff turns until finely chopped but not pureed. Spoon into a decorative bowl or crock, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight so the flavors can meld.
• Note: It's important not to overprocess this or the texture will become powdery and mousselike.
• To serve: To enjoy best flavor, remove the spread from the refrigerator fifteen minutes or so to allow the mixture to "temp up". Serve either with assorted warmed crackers or any of the suggested accompaniments listed in the introduction to this recipe.

SMOKED TROUT DIP

Steps:

• Discard the head, and skin and flake the trout fillets. Puree the cream cheese, sour cream, and horseradish in a mini food processor. Add the fish and pulse to a make a smooth dip. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the onion and parsley, and the lemon juice, to taste. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Serve with celery or endive leaves.

SMOKED SALMON (OR TROUT) SALAD IN PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Remove any skin or bones from salmon (or trout) & flake or chop the flesh.
• Combine salmon (or trout) w/lettuce, sprouts, carrot, shallots & artichokes in a lrg bowl.
• Cut pita pockets in half, spread ea half w/1 tsp mayo & stuff w/equal amts of the salmon (or trout) mixture. Done!
• NOTE: Salmon (or trout) mixture can be made several hrs b4 filling pita pockets & kept stored in refrigerator (covered).

SMOKED SALMON OR TROUT PATE (WEIGHT WATCHERS/CORE)

Steps:

• Method 1:.
• Place all ingredients (except the pepper) in a food processor and process until everything is well combined but NOT completely smooth.
• Season with ground black pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill for 12 hours.
• Method 2:.
• Cut the salmon into small pieces.
• Mix all ingredients (except the pepper) together well in a bowl.
• Season with ground black pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill for 12 hours.

SMOKED TROUT (OR SALMON) DIP

Steps:

• Discard head and skin of trout, if present.
• Flake remaining trout fillets.
• Puree cream cheese, sour cream, and horseradish in food processor.
• Add fish and pulse to make a smooth dip.
• Transfer to a bowl and stir in onion, parsley, and lemon juice.
• Refrigerate, covered, at least one hour.