Smoked Trout Horseradish Asparagus Vol Au Vent Filling Recipes

CREAMY CHICKEN VOL-AU-VENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, unfold 1 puff pastry sheet. Using a 3-1/4-in. round cutter, cut out six circles. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet., Unfold the remaining pastry sheet. Cut 6 more circles out with the 3-1/4-in. round cutter; with a 2-1/2-in. cutter, cut centers out of the circles. Place the rings on top of the circles that are on the baking sheet. Place the center circles also on the baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk egg and water; brush over pastries. Chill 15 minutes. Bake until dark golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Discard all but 1 tablespoon drippings. Add leeks and pepper to drippings; cook and stir over medium-high heat until tender, 5-7 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in bacon, chicken, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until blended; remove from heat., When cool enough to handle, hollow out pastries with a small knife. Fill with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with parsley and pepper. Serve with small center pastries on the side.

PARTY VOL-AU-VENTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 30 x 6cm squares, trimming any edges. Score a smaller square inside each one, leaving a 7.5mm border, taking care not to cut the pastry all the way through.
• Put the squares on the tray, lightly brush with egg glaze and bake for 15 mins until puffed up and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. When cool, carefully remove and discard the central piece of pastry from each one. To serve, fill with the fillings (see 'goes well with'). The vol-au-vent cases can be kept in an airtight container for up to a day before filling and serving.

SMOKED TROUT & HORSERADISH PâTé

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese, horseradish, and lemon zest and juice in a bowl, and mix together until smooth. Season.
• Add the chopped dill and flake in the smoked trout, removing any bones or skin as you go. Stir well to combine and add more seasoning to taste. The pâté will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Serve garnished with dill fronds and sprinkled with cracked black pepper. Eat with rye bread and lettuce leaves.

ASPARAGUS FRITTATA WITH SMOKED TROUT

Steps:

• Steam the asparagus until tender and still bright green, about five minutes. Drain and refresh under cold water. Dry on paper towels.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in the salt, pepper, milk, asparagus, smoked trout and chives.
• Drop a bit of egg into the pan; if it sizzles, pour in the egg mixture. Tilt the pan to distribute the eggs and filling evenly over the surface. Shake the pan gently, lifting the edges of the omelet to let the eggs run underneath during the first minute or two of cooking. Turn the heat down to low, cover (use a pizza pan if you don't have a lid that will fit your skillet) and cook 10 minutes, shaking the pan gently every once in a while. Loosen the bottom of the omelet with a wooden spatula while tilting the pan from time to time, so that the bottom doesn't burn. The eggs should be just about set; cook a few minutes longer if they're not. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
• Finish the omelet under the broiler for one to two minutes, watching very carefully to make sure the top doesn't burn. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Loosen the edges with a wooden or plastic spatula. Carefully slide from the pan onto a large, round platter, and cut into wedges or diamond-shaped pieces. If serving the next day, cover with plastic and then foil. Refrigerate overnight.

FETTUCCINE, SMOKED TROUT AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap the ends off the asparagus where they break naturally. Peel the spears. Cut the asparagus in one-inch lengths.
• Place the asparagus in a steamer or a pot of simmering water and steam or cook about three minutes, until they are just tender and still bright green. Refresh the asparagus under cold running water. Dry them well.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the shallots and saute over low heat until soft but not brown, about three minutes. Stir in the cream and simmer about five minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken. Add the trout and the asparagus. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the lemon juice.
• When the water is boiling, add the fettuccine and boil about three minutes. Drain well and transfer to a warm serving dish. Reheat the contents of the skillet and pour over the fettuccine. Toss well. Scatter the dill on top and serve.

SMOKED-TROUT HORSERADISH DIP

Steps:

• Discard skin and bones from trout and break into pieces. In a food processor pulse trout until finely chopped. Stir in remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste. Serve dip with pumpernickel toasts. Makes about 2 cups.