Smoked Fish Appetizer Recipes

SMOKED SALMON PLATTER

Steps:

• Boil the eggs. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat (make sure the saucepan can hold all the eggs in one single layer). Using a spoon, very gently lower the eggs in the boiling water large. Cook for exactly 6½ minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle boil. When the eggs are ready, transfer them to a large bowl of iced water and let them sit for about 2 minutes. Peel the eggs and cut them in halves and season with kosher salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (which is milder and has a slightly sweeter finish).
• To assemble the salmon platter, place a small bowl of cream cheese or labneh in one third of the the platter. Place the feta cheese in another corner of the platter. Arrange the salmon, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, radish, onions, olives, artichoke hearts and lemon wedges around the cheese. Sprinkle a little more red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper.
• Serve with your favorite crackers, crostini, bagels, pita wedges or even pita chips!

HOW TO SMOKE FISH

Steps:

• Make the brine: Combine water, sugar, and 1/2 cup salt. Place fish in a nonreactive dish; cover with brine. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Heat charcoal grill to medium, piling coals on 1 side to set up direct and indirect heat zones. Set a drip pan under the grill grate in the indirect heat zone.
• Soak wood trimmings in water for 30 minutes. Drain (if smoking whole trout or char, leave 1/2 cup wood in water); add to coals.
• Smoke the fish: Once smoke develops, place fish in a lightly oiled grill basket. Transfer to grill rack, and set over drip pan. Open lid vent, and position over fish. (This will direct smoke to impart maximum smokiness.) For the trout fillets: Smoke fish until cooked through but not dry, 12 to 15 minutes.For the whole trout: Smoke for 10 minutes. Flip basket. Drain remaining 1/2 cup wood; add to coals. Smoke fish until cooked through but not dry, 8 to 10 minutes more.For the side of arctic char: Smoke for 10 minutes. Drain remaining 1/2 cup wood; add to coals. Smoke fish until cooked through but not dry, 13 to 15 minutes more.

SMOKED FISH DIP

Steps:

• Place whitefish, mayonnaise, and sour cream in the bowl of a food processor. Season with Old Bay ™ seasoning, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and cracked black pepper. Blend all ingredients until consistency reaches a spread.