Smoked Trout Brandade
Notes: This garlicky purée makes a good side dish as well as an appetizer. You can prepare through step 4 up to 1 day ahead; chill brandade airtight, and store crumbs airtight at room temperature. Bake chilled brandade 15 to 20 minutes.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Shred trout with a fork. Thinly slice 2 cloves garlic. In a 2- to 3-quart pan, combine sliced garlic, milk, and thyme sprigs; bring just to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat, stir in trout, cover, and let stand about 15 minutes. Remove thyme sprigs.
Step 2
2
In a 3- to 4-quart pan, combine potatoes and about 1 quart water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes mash easily, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes and return to pan.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, place four baguette slices in a single layer on a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet. Bake in a 350° regular or convection oven, turning once, until crisp and dry, about 15 minutes total. Let cool. Rub one side of each slice with remaining garlic clove. Whirl slices in a food processor into coarse crumbs, or seal in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Step 4
4
In a blender or food processor, whirl milk mixture until smooth. Add, with olive oil, to potatoes and beat with an electric mixer, or mash with a potato masher, until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Scrape into a shallow 1- to 2-quart baking dish.
Step 5
5
Sprinkle top evenly with bread crumbs, then parsley. Bake in a 400° regular or convection oven until top is browned and center is hot, about 15 minutes. Serve brandade with remaining baguette slices.
Ingredients
12 ounces boned, skinned smoked trout
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 1/3 cups nonfat milk
3 thyme sprigs (each about 3 in. long), rinsed
1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 baguettes (8 oz. each), sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Directions
Step 1
1
Shred trout with a fork. Thinly slice 2 cloves garlic. In a 2- to 3-quart pan, combine sliced garlic, milk, and thyme sprigs; bring just to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat, stir in trout, cover, and let stand about 15 minutes. Remove thyme sprigs.
Step 2
2
In a 3- to 4-quart pan, combine potatoes and about 1 quart water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat and simmer until potatoes mash easily, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes and return to pan.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, place four baguette slices in a single layer on a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet. Bake in a 350° regular or convection oven, turning once, until crisp and dry, about 15 minutes total. Let cool. Rub one side of each slice with remaining garlic clove. Whirl slices in a food processor into coarse crumbs, or seal in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Step 4
4
In a blender or food processor, whirl milk mixture until smooth. Add, with olive oil, to potatoes and beat with an electric mixer, or mash with a potato masher, until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Scrape into a shallow 1- to 2-quart baking dish.
Step 5
5
Sprinkle top evenly with bread crumbs, then parsley. Bake in a 400° regular or convection oven until top is browned and center is hot, about 15 minutes. Serve brandade with remaining baguette slices.
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