Tea smoking is a simple way of injecting a unique flavour into foods. Use this technique to enhance sustainable, affordable trout.
Ingredients
- For the smoked trout
- 225g/8oz uncooked
rice - 225g/8oz
demerara sugar - 8
tea bags, torn open - 2
trout, cleaned and scales removed - 1
lemon, sliced
- 225g/8oz uncooked
- For the salad and tarragon dressing
- 150g/5½oz
pancetta lardons - 1 head frisée, centre leaves removed
- 2 heads
Little Gem lettuce - 6 tbsp
double cream - 1
lemon, juice only - 2 sprigs fresh
tarragon, leaves picked and chopped
- 150g/5½oz
Preparation method
For the smoked trout, line a lidded wok or a pan for smoking with foil.
Place the rice and sugar in the bottom and scatter the tea leaves over the top.
Place a rack over the top and lay the trout on the rack, place the lemon slices on top.
Place the pan on a high heat until the tea begins to smoke. Place a tight fitting lid on top and smoke for 15 minutes. (CAUTION: Tea smoking generates a lot of smoke, so ensure you maintain good ventilation in the kitchen.)
Take the pan outside, if you are able, when you open it to remove the fish.
For the salad and tarragon dressing, heat a small frying pan, then add the pancetta and cook for a couple of minutes until crisp. Set aside to drain on kitchen paper.
Place the frisée and Little Gem into a large bowl and add the cooked pancetta.
In a small bowl, whip the cream until it has thickened, then add the lemon juice and chopped tarragon.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to mix, sprinkling the lardons over the top.
To serve, place the smoked fish onto a plate and serve the salad next to it.