Ultimate Steelhead Trout Food

PAN-FRIED TROUT WITH LEMON THYME BUTTER

Steps:

• Pat dry fillets thoroughly with paper towel. Salt and pepper on all side.
• In a large skillet (I use non-stick), heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is sizzling, add the fillets skin-side down. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for about 5 minutes. Then flip each fillet and continue to cook until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove onto a plate skin-side up and loosely cover with a foil, while prepare the sauce. Don't cover the fillets tightly, or the crispy skin will get soggy.
• To make the sauce, add lemon juice, thyme and salt in a medium skillet. Bring it to a boil over medium heat and cook until it until reduced in half. Remove thyme, reduce the heat to low and add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Swirl the pan to slowly melt the butter before adding the remaining butter. The trick is to slowly melt the butter to get the silky sauce, instead of melted butter. You can pick up the skillet, hovering it over the heat and swirling it to melt the butter.
• Serve the trout with side of rice, or vegetables of your choice, and lemon butter sauce on the side.

ULTIMATE STEELHEAD TROUT RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• In a skillet or small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the shallot and cook on medium heat for about 3 minutes, until the shallot softens.
• Add the garlic and the lemon zest, cook for another minute. Cool slightly. Squeeze in half of the lemon juice.
• Place the fish on the prepared baking sheet. If it's really big, lay it diagonally across the baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the butter over the fish.
• Sprinkle with half of the minced dill.
• Roast in the oven for 12-17 minutes, depending on how thick the fish is. The best way to check for doneness is to use a fork to gently prick the fish, and if it flakes easily, it's ready.
• Use several spatulas to take the fish off the baking sheet in one piece. (Or cut it into sections, if it's easier.)
• Squeeze the other half of the lemon over the fish and sprinkle with more fresh dill.

GRILLED STEELHEAD TROUT

Steps:

• Lightly oil the grate of your grill. Arrange lemon slices on the grate so they overlap slightly and form a shape slightly larger than your trout fillet.
• Preheat grill for medium heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat.
• Saute garlic and onion in the hot oil until the garlic browns slightly, 2 to 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the reserved lemon ends over the garlic mixture.
• Gently lay the trout fillet onto the lemons with the skin side down. Brush the garlic mixture over the top of the fish.
• Cook trout on hot grill until the fish flesh flakes easily with a fork, about 10 minutes.