Hot Smoked Bluefish Recipes

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.

HOT-SMOKED BLUEFISH

Steps:

• Remove racks from smokehouse and prepare fire (see instructions).
• In a mixing bowl combine all the seasonings except the pepper.
• Brush rack lightly with oil and place fish on the rack, skin side down. (The skin and scales must be left on because they will help hold the fish together, but they are not to be eaten.) Sprinkle fillets liberally with seasoning mixture, about two tablespoons for each fillet. Using a soft-bristled brush, apply the oil to each fillet, thoroughly moistening fish and seasonings. Sprinkle generously with freshly ground pepper.
• Place fish in smokehouse at 160 degrees. After about one-half hour allow temperature to drop to 150 degrees, and then check smokehouse regularly to be sure that the temperature is maintained, at least within the range of 140 to 160 degrees. Smoke for three hours. Then add wood to the fire and bring temperature up to about 200 degrees. Smoke one-half hour longer.
• Serve chilled, sprinkled with lemon juice or accompanied by a mixture of sour cream, horseradish and a dash of tabasco.

SMOKED BLUEFISH SPREAD

Steps:

• Scrape fish from skin if needed. Place fish in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Combine cream cheese, red onion, dill, lemon juice, sour cream, capers, horseradish and zest; gently stir in fish. Refrigerate, covered, until serving., Serve with crackers, vegetables and lemon wedges. If desired, top with additional red onion and dill.