Smoked Trout Canapes With Creme Fraiche And Herb Sauce For Two Recipes

SMOKED TROUT, VODKA CREME FRAICHE AND CRISPY POTATOES

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the potatoes in a roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and stir to evenly coat the potatoes. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, until the potatoes are soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. While the potatoes are still warm, gently press down on each one with the back of a pan or the side of a knife so it flattens to about 3/4 inch but stays intact (it's okay if the edges crack a bit, as they will get extra crisp when fried). Heat about 4 inches of canola oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Once the oil reaches 350 degrees F, fry the crushed potatoes, in batches, for 5 to 6 minutes, until they become golden and crunchy. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
• Make the vodka creme fraiche: Combine the creme fraiche and vodka in a mixing bowl and whisk vigorously to whip and combine. Season lightly with salt. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Prepare the toppings: Carefully flake the trout fillets into small bite-size pieces. Fry the shallots: Separate the shallot slices into rings. Lightly dredge the rings in the flour. In a saute pan, heat 1/2 inch of olive oil to 350 degrees F. Fry the shallots for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and immediately season with kosher salt. To assemble, place a small dollop of vodka creme fraiche on each piece of potato and top it with a piece of trout. Garnish with the radish sprouts, chives and fried shallots. Season with fleur de sel and drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil.

SMOKED TROUT WITH LEMON-CHIVE SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut head and tail from trout. Peel back skin and, using a fork, gently lift meat from bones. Pick over fillets for remaining bones.
• In small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, crème fraîche, lemon zest, lemon juice, chives and dill. Mix well.
• Place a piece of trout on a slice of baguette, and top with a dollop of sauce. Repeat with remaining trout and arrange on a platter.

SMOKED TROUT, CRèME FRAîCHE & PICKLED ONION

Steps:

• Combine onions, vinegar, sugar, and kosher salt with 1/4 cup hot water in a bowl; let pickle for 30 minutes.
• Grill bread slices.
• Combine lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper, and crème fraîche in a bowl.
• Spoon crème fraîche mixture onto toasts. Top each with about 1 ounce smoked trout and a few slices drained pickled onions.
• Garnish with chervil or dill.

SMOKED TROUT CANAPES

Steps:

• In a food processor purée the trout, the yogurt, the mayonnaise, the lemon juice, the minced dill, the onion, and salt and pepper to taste until the mixture is smooth. The trout mixture may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. On each piece of bread spread a scant teaspoon of the mixture, mounding it, and garnish each canapés with a dill sprig.