Cast Iron Skillet Fresh Trout With Cornmeal Recipes

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED TROUT

Steps:

• Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until just soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato, vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon tarragon and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Place the green beans in a large microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon water, cover with plastic wrap and microwave until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
• Put the cornmeal in a shallow bowl. Dredge the fish in the cornmeal, shaking off the excess. Heat 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the fish and cook until golden, turning once, about 5 minutes. (Add more butter between batches, if needed.) Transfer the fish to plates.
• Return the sauce to medium heat. Add the half-and-half, bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon tarragon and 1/2 tablespoon butter and season with salt. Serve the fish with the green beans and top with the sauce.
• Per serving: Calories 380; Fat 14 g (Saturated 7 g); Cholesterol 164 mg; Sodium 238 mg; Carbohydrate 30 g; Fiber 4 g; Protein 33 g

PAN FRIED WHOLE TROUT

Steps:

• Remove gills from fish and discard. Rinse fish under cold water.
• In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat.
• In shallow dish, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper. Raise heat to high. Dredge fish in flour mixture and fry in hot oil for about 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until meat flakes with a fork. Serve garnished with lemon wedges.

CORNMEAL BATTERED TROUT

Steps:

• Mix egg and water and slowly whisk in flour and cornmeal. Add parsley, garlic salt, onion salt, salt, and ground white pepper. Lay prepared fish in batter while oil is heating.
• In heavy skillet (preferably cast iron or non-stick), heat oil over medium-high heat until a 1/2 teaspoon batter dropped into it sizzles and begins to brown. Fry fish for 3 minutes on each side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Garnish with lemon slices and flat-leaf parsley leaves.
• Serving suggestion: Southern tartar sauce (chopped piccalilli mixed with mayonnaise) and hot green pepper sauce.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED TROUT

Steps:

• To make the crawfish sauce, put the lobster stock and tomato paste in a small saucepan and boil over high heat until reduced by half, about 6 minutes.
• Pour the cream into a medium saucepan and boil over medium heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, to make the trout, spread out the flour on a large plate and season with salt and pepper. Place the eggs in a large shallow bowl. Add a few tablespoons of water, season with salt and pepper, and whisk until combined. Place the cornmeal on a large plate and season with salt and pepper.
• Add the reduced cream to the lobster stock and stir to combine. Add the crawfish tails and watercress leaves, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, just to heat through. Keep warm.
• Season both sides of each fillet with salt and pepper. Dredge one side of each fillet in the flour and tap off any excess, then dip that side in the egg mixture and let any extra drip off. Finally dredge the same side in the cornmeal and tap off any excess.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick sauté pan over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Place 2 of the fillets in the pan, cornmeal side down, and cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over and continue cooking until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with the remaining 2 fillets, butter, and oil.
• Ladle some of the sauce onto large plates or shallow bowls and top with the trout. Garnish with watercress leaves.

CAST-IRON-SKILLET FRESH TROUT WITH CORNMEAL

Steps:

• Prepare a hot campfire. Generously season each fish, inside and out, with salt and pepper. Pour the cornmeal onto a large plate and season it generously with salt and pepper.
• When the fire dies down, place a grill rack over the bed of embers and assemble everything you will need: your largest cast-iron skillet, the oil, a thick dry towel or sturdy pot holder, a metal spatula, a pair of long tongs to adjust the embers or grill rack if needed, and a serving platter for the fish. When the grill is very hot, the flame has completely died down, and the coals are covered with ash, put the skillet on the center of the grate and let it get hot.
• In the meantime, thoroughly coat each fish with a light dusting of cornmeal.
• Add 1/4 inch of oil to the hot skillet and test the oil: a sprinkling of cornmeal should immediately sizzle. Shake any excess cornmeal from the fish and slowly lay them in the skillet (you may need to work in batches if your skillet is not large enough to fit them all). Keep a close eye on the fish as they cook, and rotate the pan or gently adjust the fish with the spatula and tongs as needed. Cook the fish for 4 to 6 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. Flip them over and continue until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. If the pan becomes dry during cooking, add a small amount of additional oil to the skillet.