Mountain Trout Recipes

ROCKY MOUNTAIN TROUT WITH HAZELNUTS AND HARICOTS VERTS

Steps:

• Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. When they are lightly toasted, remove from the oven and immediately rub them vigorously in a heavy, dry kitchen towel to remove the skins. Set aside to cool.
• Place the new potatoes, the minced shallots, and the chicken stock in a 2 quart sauce pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are done, but firm. The tip of a knife should penetrate them with a slight resistance.
• Meanwhile, cut off the head and tail of the trout. Using tweezers, remove any pin bones you may find in the trout. Separate the trout into 2 fillets each by cutting down the back of the trout. Season with salt and pepper, and dredge the trout fillets in the flour.
• Add the green beans to the potato pot, cover and place on medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
• Preheat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Saute the trout fillets, skin side down, until golden brown. Turn the fillets and cook 1 more minute. Remove from the pan, and repeat until all the trout are cooked. Place all the fillets a baking sheet in the oven to keep warm. Add the contents of the potato pot to the trout pan. Add the hazelnuts, bring to a boil, and stir in the lemon juice and butter.
• To serve, divide the potato mixture onto 4 plates, and place 2 fillets, skin side up, crisscrossed on each plate. Spoon the remaining hazelnut sauce over each portion, and serve immediately.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BENEDICT

Steps:

• Split the English muffins in half and then toast or grill them; set them aside. Fill a large shallow pan with 2 to 3 inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and gently break the eggs into the boiling water. Cook the eggs until the yolks are set to the desired doneness, about 3 minutes. Remove the eggs from the heat. Heat the smoked trout in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 30 seconds or until heated through. Arrange the toasted English muffins on plates and top with the trout. Using a slotted spoon, place 1 poached egg on top of each English muffin. Spoon warm Hollandaise Sauce over the eggs and sprinkle with parsley and a dash of paprika to garnish. Serve immediately.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a heavy saucepan. While butter is melting, whisk together white wine, lemon juice, and hot sauce in a large metal bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks. Place the bowl over a skillet of simmering water and continue whisking over medium heat until a custard consistency develops. Slowly whisk in the melted butter. Continue whisking until the sauce is rich and smooth.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAINBOW TROUT WITH TROUT ROE

Steps:

• Open the trout fillets and fan out like a book, lifting open both fillets to create an even, somewhat flat surface.
• In a small bowl, mix together the sumac and salt. Season the trout on both sides with the sumac-salt blend.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Working in batches, add one trout at a time, flesh-side down, and cook undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the fish and cook until firm throughout, 1 to 2 more minutes. Transfer the trout to a warm plate, skin-side down, and tent with foil until all the fish is cooked. Repeat with the remaining oil and fish. (You only need 3 tablespoons oil: 1 tablespoon for each batch except the last, which won't need it.)
• Lightly drizzle the cooked trout with more oil, if desired. Garnish with walnuts and watercress; spoon the trout roe on top. Serve immediately.