Smoked Trout
The taste of homemade smoked trout is incomparable, making this recipe well worth the effort. Trout, like all fish, must be brined before smoking, so plan on several hours’ worth of brining time before you actually do the smoking. Unlike salmon, trout is hot smoked. Obviously, you’ll need a smoker for this recipe. The choice of wood is up to you: At Bubby’s, we strictly use apple wood. Once you’ve got smoked trout on hand, you may serve it as is or make it into some delicious Smoked Trout Cakes (page 195), a Smoked Trout Scramble (page 101), or Smoked Trout and Scallion Mousse (page 196). Figure that you need to start this recipe about five hours in advance. The salmon is best when smoked the day before you plan to serve it, so that the flavors can blend. To serve, cut the smoked trout into fairly large 2-inch chunks and arrange them as part of a smoked fish platter, along with Smoked Salmon (page 191) and herring (page 196).
Recipe information
Yield
serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Combine 2 cups of water, the salt, pepper, and maple syrup in a 3- or 4-quart bowl. Place the trout in this brining mixture, cover, and refrigerate for about 4 hours.
Step 2
Place a wire rack on a baking sheet.
Step 3
Drain the trout and discard the brining liquid. Arrange the trout skin side down on the wire rack. Refrigerate until you are ready to start the smoking process, up to 6 hours.
Step 4
Heat the smoker to 225°F, using charcoal, apple or cherry wood, or a combination of charcoal and wood. Lightly oil the grate of the smoker so the trout won’t stick.
Step 5
Arrange the trout skin side down directly on the grate. Be sure to leave a good inch of space between the trout so that more of the surface area will be exposed to the smoke. Make sure that the heat source is not directly under the fish.
Step 6
Place the grate in the smoker; then add more wood to the smoker to ensure that there’s plenty of smoke to flavor the fish. It is important to maintain a temperature of 225°F, so add charcoal, 1 piece at a time, or wood as needed to keep the heat.
Step 7
Smoke the trout for 30 to 40 minutes, or until firm and a little flaky. Remove the trout from the smoker and allow it to cool to room temperature. Wrap the trout tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready to use it. Peel the skin from the fillets before serving.
