Smoked Sturgeon Cakes Recipes

BUTTER POACHED STURGEON

Steps:

• Whisk together shallots, vanilla bean, bay leaf, salt and stock and bring to simmer. Slowly whisk in butter and warm to 145 degrees F. Place sturgeon in butter and make sure butter remains at 145 degrees F. Poach for 12 minutes. Remove from liquid and garnish with watercress, onions, and capers.

TEA SMOKED STURGEON

Steps:

• Marinate sturgeon in olive oil, coriander, shallots and dill for 8 hours, refrigerated. Soak tea and applewood chips in water for 2 hours.
• In a stove top smoker place soaked tea and apple chips in bottom of pan and put over medium heat on stove. Drain of any excess oil and place sturgeon on rack and cover. Let smoke on stovetop until fish begins to flake, about 12 minutes. Remove from pan and garnish with onions, capers, and chopped eggs. Drizzle with creme fraiche and serve.

STURGEON WITH CAPER, OLIVE AND TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat saute pan over medium high heat (hot pan, cold oil, food won't stick) until just warm and add the olive oil. Let oil heat and place fillets in the pan. Let sides brown for 1 minute or 2, then add onion. Stir until onion starts to become translucent. Add garlic and rosemary. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until garlic just begins to brown. Flip fillets over to brown. Add olives and stir in. Then, add capers. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes, then, add white wine. Increase heat for a few minutes to reduce wine. Reduce heat to medium and add tomato sauce. Stir to combine all ingredients and let sit for a few minutes. Flip fillets so that both sides are coated with sauce. Fish is done when there is resistance to pressure. (Check also with your seafood market person about recommended cooking times for the fish.) Freshly ground pepper can be added during the cooking, but salting the dish isn't necessary since there is a lot of salt in the olives and capers. Serve with rice, pasta, or couscous. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

SMOKED EEL, SMOKED STURGEON, AND CHOUPIQUE CAVIAR SALAD WITH DILLED BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat a fryer to 360 degrees F.
• Season the flour with Essence and place in a shallow dish. Dredge the eel in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
• Fry the eel until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
• In a large bowl, combine the sturgeon, onions, chives, vinegar, oil, some of the Buttermilk Dill Dressing, salt, and pepper, and toss gently.
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper, and drizzle over the lettuces. Place 1/4 head of lettuce on each of 4 large salad plates. Arrange the sturgeon mixture over the lettuce. Top with the fried eel. Drizzle each serving with 3 tablespoons of the dressing. Place 1 teaspoon of the caviar in the center and serve.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
• To make the dressing, combine the egg and dill in the bowl of a food processor and process on high speed for 15 seconds. With the machine running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until it forms an emulsion. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in the buttermilk, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.