Stove Top Smoker Smoked Whole Trout Recipes

Steps:

• Trim the very ends of the tail if the trout are too long for the smoker, otherwise, leave them as is.
• Some retailers will sell a whole, boneless trout, which makes serving easier, but skinning a smoked trout and separating the fillets from the bones is a very simple affair (see below).
• Season the inside and outside of the trout generously with salt and pepper.
• If you like, lay a few slices of lemon and sprigs of fresh thyme inside the body cavity.
• Use 1 1/2 to 2 Tablespoons (depending on your preference for smokiness) alder or cherry wood chips (best with seafood).
• Smoke the trout until the meat along the backbone close to the head is opaque (insert the tip of a small knife to check); about 22 minutes after closing the smoker lid for an 11-12 ounce trout; about 25 minutes for a 13-14 ounce trout.
• Check the fish for doneness after 20 minutes.
• If the underside is considerably darker than the top after about 12 minutes
• of smoking, flip the fish and continue cooking.
• Serve right from the smoker with rice pilaf and buttered string beans, or cool them completely to room temperature and remove the fillets.
• To fillet smoked trout, run a small sharp knife along the backbone to cut through the skin.
• Lift off the skin from the top fillet or leave it on if you like.
• With the help of the knife, gently lift the top fillet free of the bones.
• Turn the fish over and repeat.
• Note: To smoke trout fillets, set them skin side down on the smoker rack and smoke just until cooked through and begin to flake, 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness.

Steps:

• To make the brine: combine first 6 ingredients (onions - ginger) in a food processor and puree. Pour into a dish or pan that is large enough to hold the fish. Add remaining brine ingredients (soy sauce - mace) and stir to combine. Stir in cold water (about 2 cups). Add fish to mixture and enough water to cover fish. If using large salmon fish refrigerate for 2-3 days, if using small fish refrigerate for 1 day.
• Soak hickory chips overnight in water.
• To prepare smoker/barbecue: prepare barbecue by heaping briquets on one side of the grill (about 30 for a large grill). Ignite and burn until coals glow and gray ash forms.
• Set drip pans opposite briquets.
• Remove fish from brine and wipe dry.
• Pile hickory chips over briquets. Set top grill in place and coals side over drip pan with vegetable oil or spray with Pam.
• Set fish over drip pan and cover barbecue, leaving 1-2 vents open to allow smoke to escape.
• Smoke fish until fish flakes with a fork about 8 minutes per pound. For the large salmon trout it can take up to 2 hours but if using small fish about 45-60 minutes. You will most likely need to add coals if briquets begin to burn down.
• Transfer fish to a large platter and let cool. Cover and refrigerate until 1 hour before serving.
• To make garnish: separate lettuce carefully using only those that form a cup. Chop onions and place in paper towel lined sieve to dry slightly. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water and then bring to a boil and let them boil 1 minute. Turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes. Cool under cold running water, and then peel, chop and set aside.
• To serve: surround fish with lettuce cups alternately filled with onion, egg, caper and lemon wedges. Pass the horseradish sauce separately.
• To make the horseradish sauce: Combine first five ingredients (dill - mace) and mix well. Stir in the sour cream and horseradish. Transfer to a gravy sauce boat and cover and refrigerate. Sprinkle with paprika before serving.

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes in a large pan of salted water for about 15 mins. Drain well in a colander and allow them to steam dry for 5 mins.
• To make the dressing: mix the mustard, olive oil and vinegar with some seasoning. Stir in the spring onions, then pour the mixture over the warm potatoes and allow to cool.
• To make the smoking mixture, split the tea bags and empty the leaves into a bowl with the sugar and rice. Line a deep roasting tin with foil, tip the smoking mix on top and cover with another piece of foil. Place the tin onto the hob over a medium heat until it starts to smoke a little.
• Once you see smoke escaping, put the trout on top with a little bit of seasoning and cover with more foil, trapping the smoke inside. Lower the heat and leave to smoke for 20-22 mins until the trout is cooked - it should flake away from the bone when it is done.
• Add the rocket to the potato salad and gently stir to coat in the dressing. Divide between 4 plates and serve with the trout.