Christmas Crostini With Smoked Trout Recipes

SMOKED TROUT CROSTINI WITH GRILLED FENNEL AND RED ONION

Steps:

• On separate baking sheets, arrange bread and vegetables; brush both sides with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Grill or broil bread until crisp, about 2 minutes per side if grilled, and 1 to 2 minutes per side if broiled. Grill or broil vegetables until golden and just tender, about 4 minutes per side if grilled, and 3 to 4 minutes per side if broiled. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Arrange bread, vegetables, and trout on large platter. Garnish with fennel fronds. Serve, allowing guests to assemble crostini.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and delicatessens.

SMOKED TROUT, CRèME FRAîCHE & PICKLED ONION

Steps:

• Combine onions, vinegar, sugar, and kosher salt with 1/4 cup hot water in a bowl; let pickle for 30 minutes.
• Grill bread slices.
• Combine lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper, and crème fraîche in a bowl.
• Spoon crème fraîche mixture onto toasts. Top each with about 1 ounce smoked trout and a few slices drained pickled onions.
• Garnish with chervil or dill.

CHRISTMAS CROSTINI WITH SMOKED TROUT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a food processor, pulse the trout fillets until broken up into small pieces. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, creme fraiche, horseradish, and lemon juice. Fold processed trout into cream-cheese mixture, and season with pepper.
• Using a long serrated knife, trim off top of loaf to make level. Cut bread vertically into 3/4-inch-thick slices, keeping loaf intact. Brush the top of the loaf with oil. Transfer loaf to a baking sheet, and toast in oven until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool.
• Transfer loaf, keeping shape intact, to a round serving platter or cake stand. Gently spread trout mixture over loaf (so it rests atop slices). Arrange watercress, alternating with groupings of the cherry tomato halves and cucumber slices on top, and serve immediately.