Special Occasion Smoked Bluefish Pate Food

SMOKED BLUEFISH PâTé

Steps:

• To smoke bluefish: Build a small charcoal fire in one-third of a grill fitted with a lid. When the coals are covered with gray ash and the fire is at medium heat (you can hold your hand 5 inches above the coals for 3 to 4 seconds), add a handful of the wet hickory chips to the fire. Rub the fish with the olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Place the fish, flesh side down, on the grill directly over the coals. Cook, covered, for 4 minutes, then transfer to the side of the grill without coals. Cover the grill and cook until the fish is opaque all the way through, about 6 minutes more. Remove the fish and let cool completely.
• Make the pâté: Flake the bluefish into the bowl of a food processor, discarding the skin. Add the cream cheese, butter and Cognac and pulse to combine. Add the onions, the strained juice of half the lemon and a pinch each of salt and pepper, then pulse again to combine. The purée should straddle the consistency line between a pâté and a mousse. Season with hot pepper sauce and more lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for a day or two.
• Serve the cold pâté in ramekins or turn out onto plates, accompanied by crackers, sliced baguette or pumpernickel.

SPECIAL OCCASION SMOKED BLUEFISH PATE

Steps:

• Break up smoked bluefish and place in a food processor with cream cheese. Use pulse setting to blend smooth. Mix in prepared Dijon-style mustard and horseradish. Blend to desired consistency. Increase amounts of mustard and horseradish, if desired. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 6 hours, or overnight, before serving.

SMOKED BLUEFISH PATE

Steps:

• Crumble or shred the fish semi-fine.
• Whip the cream cheese in the mixer until ligt, then add the fish and remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
• Scrape into a bowl and refrigerate, covered with plastic, until service.
• Serve with crackers.