Crispy Trout Starter Recipes

CRISPY TROUT WITH KITCHEN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• If it's convenient, set the serving plates to warm in a low oven (175 degrees F) as you prepare the fish.
• For the sauce, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and thyme and cook them briefly until lightly browned. Add the cream, bring it to a boil and reduce quickly by half. Add the remaining 10 tablespoons butter gradually, pat by pat, whisking until incorporated. When the sauce is smooth and thick, discard the garlic and thyme and add the chives, sherry vinegar, tarragon and salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat two large cast-iron skillets over medium-high heat. Sprinkle both sides of the fish with salt and pepper and dust the skin sides with the flour. When the pans are hot, add enough canola oil to thinly coat the bottom of each and add a fish to each pan, skin-side down. Cook until the skins turn golden brown and opaque doneness creeps into the pink flesh of the fish. You want to cook the fish nearly all the way through on the skin side. Flip the fish and transfer them to a plate to keep warm in the oven. Cook the remaining fish.
• Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of sauce onto each warm plate, top with a trout, skin side pointing up, and serve immediately.

CRISPY WHOLE TROUT WITH CURRIED ZUCCHINI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat a large casserole filled halfway with oil. The trout must be able to fit in. On a large plate, mix flour with cumin. Dredge trout in flour, inside and out and deep-fry until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt.
• For the zucchini cous-cous: In a saucepan on medium heat, coat with olive oil, sweat the onions, garlic, ginger and curry powder. Season. Add zucchini and saute for 3 to 5 minutes until soft. Check for seasoning. Keep on very low heat.
• For the curry oil: In a small bowl, combine curry powder with salt and about 1/8 cup water to make a loose paste. Whisk in oil and let stand 1 hour to settle. Use the top, clear yellow oil. PLATING: Using a ring mold, cut out tuna fish can (both sides filed) or a small, oiled bowl, fill with half couscous then half of the zucchini. Place trout on top and drizzle with curry oil and garnish with scallions.

CRISPY COLORADO TROUT

Steps:

• Preparing Trout: After de-boning, finning, cleaning, and filleting fish, rinse and pat dry. Combine egg and milk in a shallow dish to make an egg wash. Dredge trout in seasoned flour shaking off excess. Dip into egg wash mixture, and then into panko crumbs, turning to coat both sides and patting lightly. Remove fillets and place separately onto platter. Use waxed paper to keep fish from touching. Preparing Aioli Sauce: Place all ingredients into blender except for olive oil, and puree. Add a little water to loosen, if needed. Once you have reached the puree stage, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. This will cause the ingredients to emulsify. Set aside. Cooking Trout: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a heavy saute pan, coat bottom with 1/8-inch of oil. Heat pan and oil to medium heat. Add fillet skin side up and cook for about 1 1/2 minutes. Turn fillet over and cook until golden brown on the other side. Remove from heat and place on paper towels in baking dish.
• Place fillets in preheated oven for 6 to 7 minutes. Arrange on plates and drizzle with sauce making thin ribbons across the fillets.
• Serve with Chevre Orzo.
• Cook orzo in salted boiling water to just under done. Drain and keep warm.
• Heat the cream, add remaining ingredients, and toss with the pasta. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

CRISPY TROUT WITH WILTED WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in shallow dish. Moisten trout with cold water and dip in cornmeal mixture, turning to coat.
• Melt butter with 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add trout, skin side down, and pan-fry until coating is brown, about 3 minutes. Turn trout over; pan-fry until opaque in center, about 2 minutes. Transfer trout to platter.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil and lemon juice to skillet, stirring to scrape up browned bits. Add watercress and cook until barely wilted, tossing with pan drippings, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Top trout with watercress, garnish with lemon wedges, and serve.