Alder Smoked Golden Trout

Dear Auntie,  

I bet you do a mighty fine fish, what's your very favorite way to do fish?

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

Ages ago, my friend, Shelley, came over for lunch. I took a golden trout, stuffed it with fennel, scallops, balsamic vinegar, then smoked it over alderwood. Nummers!

Enjoy!

Auntie

Alder Smoked Golden Trout

1 whole golden trout   
¼ cup fennel chopped fine
¼ cup shallot chopped fine
¼ cup balsamic vinegar, reduced 1 Tbsp*
1 tsp thyme   
¼ lb bay scallops   
salt & pepper to taste   

Debone fish, and butterfly. (You fishmonger can do this for you.)

Place vinegar in saucepan with the sprig of fresh thyme.  Reduce to 1 tablespoon.  Remove thyme.  Brush inside of fish with reduction. 

Mix fennel, shallot, scallops, salt and pepper.  Place in cavity of fish.  Skewer opening of fish and lace together with butcher’s twine.  Place fish in stove top smoker with alder chips.  Smoke according to manufacturer's directions until internal temperature reaches 140º. Remove from heat. Let rest 5 minutes (Carry over heat will raise the temperature to 145º.) 

Remove skewers and twine and serve.  Makes 2 -3 servings. 

Election Day

I remember as a child, my Dad taking me with him to vote. Imagine my surprise when Mom was there as an election worker! I thought Mom must be the most wonderful woman in the world. She helped elect a President!! Wow. That impression has never changed. :-)

Ain't No Sunshine

It's a rainy day in Dallas. Here's a little homemade video from yours truly. Enjoy.

Onion Marmalade

What's that?! Onion Marmalade?!

Yes. Onion Marmalade.

We often think of marmalade as a sweet citrus spread. Actually, marmalade refers to its preparation method. Bits of rind are embedded in clear jelly. In this case, the jelly is tart and savory.

Use this as a spread for sandwiches or as an accompaniment to meats. This is the spread used in the charcuterie plate.


Onion Marmalade

1 tablespoon butter
3 medium yellow onions, sliced
¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup apple cider vinegar
pinch each: allspice, clove, ginger, cinnamon, pepper and salt

Melt butter in large skillet over medium low heat. Add onions.  Cover and cook until onions are translucent, but not brown.  Uncover. Add remaining ingredients. Stir.  Cook, uncovered, until thickened.

Charcuterie Plate, Sighing and Almost

Recently, I auditioned for a nationally televised cooking show. (I'm under contract to keep my trap shut as to the name of said show.) For the audition, each of us had to bring a dish that exemplified our cooking skill. I brought a charcuterie plate.

"Charcuterie" comes from the French word for pork butcher. A charcuterie plate is a dish of selected meat items with accompaniments. It demonstrates the chef's skill in preparing meat.  What better dish to bring to this audition?

Going clockwise from the top left, the items in my charcuterie plate were Chicken Liver Pate Mousse with Onion Marmalade, Creole Mustard in Citrus Bowl, Pink Pickled Egg with Pink Peppercorns and 18 - Month Aged Cheese, Cactus Pickles, Baguette.  I made everything in the photo except the glass jar and cutting board.

Yeah.  I seriously considered making the cutting board, too. (Who you callin' obsessive???)

At the audition, the chef who tasted my dish loved it! They gave me a callback! However, they never called again. Almost, but not quite. *Sigh*  Their loss is your gain, my friends. I'll be posting recipes for your culinary enjoyment.  Nyah. So there, Ms. Casting Director.

Maybe I should have made the cutting board, after all. Drat.