Friday, December 26, 2025

Smoked Trout Dip / Potted Smoked Trout (le Budget le Gourmet)

 via (RecipeTin Eats) (with slight modifications)

Ingredients

  • 1 stick / 4 oz / 120 g unsalted butter, roughly chopped
  • 1 eschallot (golden shallot), finely diced (Note 1)(We used regular old shallots)
  • 1 garlic clove, very finely chopped
  • Rind of 1 lemon, very finely grated (yellow part only)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 lb / 500 g (we used about 8 oz) whole smoked trout
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 4 oz / 120 g crème fraîche (or full‑fat sour cream — Note 2)
  • 1 tbsp cream (full‑fat, not whipped)
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tbsp chives, coarsely chopped

Instructions

  1. CLEAN THE TROUT: remove as many bones as possible!
  2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted. Pour 2/3 into a bowl and set aside.
  3. Add shallot, garlic, and lemon rind to the pan. Cook gently for 3–5 minutes until soft and translucent (do not brown).
  4. Remove the skin from the trout and discard. Remove the flesh, avoiding bones, and place in a bowl. Flake with a fork and discard bones.
  5. Pour the shallot‑butter mixture over the trout.
  6. Add lemon juice, cayenne pepper, crème fraîche, cream, and herbs. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed (trout is often salty already).
  8. Spoon into jars or ramekins (1 large, 2 medium, or 4 small). Smooth the surface.
  9. Pour the reserved butter over the top to cover.
  10. Refrigerate to set. (Original recipe suggested freezing 5–10 minutes, but this caused cracking.)
  11. Serve the same day or make up to one week in advance. Serve with fresh or toasted bread.

Notes

  1. Shallots: Golden/french shallots look like small, pointy onions. Scallions, spring onions, or regular onions can be substituted — use about 2 tbsp very finely diced.
  2. Crème fraîche substitute: Full‑fat sour cream is a very close substitute. Do not use low‑fat.
  3. Butter seal: The butter layer seals the spread and keeps it fresh for up to a week.
  4. Make ahead: Best made at least a day ahead; flavor improves with time.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Chocolate‑Toffee Bark via America's Test Kitchen

This was a big hit this Christmas, so thought I'd better post it!  Source: America’s Test Kitchen Time: 1½ hours Yield: About 1½ pound...