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Rainbow Trout - Fresh From the Farm
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Rushing Waters Trout Farm
The health benefits of seafood are well documented, and in the previous article we looked at the basics of seafood purchasing http://www.examiner.com/x-27747-Madison-Healthy-Food-Examiner~y2009m10d25-Seafood-101--What-Where-and-How-to-buy What to look for, how to buy, where to buy are all very important in determining not only healthy, but sustainable selection. However, even if you have the best fish available, it does no good if you can't cook it - with the money invested, it needs to be simple, flavorful, and relatively fast. Here is a great recipe that can be prepped ahead of time, is healthy, tastes great, seasonal, and utilizes a great local product - Rainbow Trout.
Madison is very fortunate to not only have a great Farmer's Market, but two fantastic Rainbow Trout fisheries within an easy drive - meaning absolutely fresh fish available year-round, and raised utilizing sustainable practices. Rushing Waterswww.rushingwaters.netis located in Palmyra, Wisconsin and is the largest Trout Fishery in the state. They have been supplying to the best restaurants for years, and are now widely available to the retail public. Find them at Whole Foods Market on University Avenue. Artesian Trout Farm (no website - contact at (608)296-2834) is a small, family owned farm near Westfield north of Madison in Marquette County. They have been a longtime presence at the Dane County Farmer's Market www.dcfm.org and are recently available at Metcalfe's Sentry Hilldale, and the Seafood Center Whitney Way as well as fine restaurants such as L'Etoile www.letoile-restaurant.com . Both farms utilize pristine Artesian water on site, and closely monitor feed, production, and harvesting to assure clean, fresh, and sustainable fisheries. Why buy trout from Idaho, when the best is in your backyard?
For the fish, be careful not to overcook. Trout is done when the flesh feels springy to the touch - this fish is so fresh, and has such a wonderful color, it may actually look a little pink in the center when done. One of the biggest mistakes people make is cooking fish until it flakes apart. That is overdone - don't ruin a beautiful piece of seafood that you pay good money for by overcooking! The following recipe can be prepared in advance up to the seasonal root vegetables being cooked, and the cider glaze being made. All you need to do is season and stuff the fish, heat up the glaze, and bake. As a side dish, a quinoa or wild rice with pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts - or no nuts at all - would be lovely.
Remember - buy local, eat local, eat well, be well, and mostly, enjoy!
Roasted Rainbow Trout Stuffed with Root Vegetables, Cider-Thyme Reduction
(Scott Wittkopf, Executive Chef)
Serves 4 as a Main Course
Ingredients
4 Whole, Dressed Rainbow Trout (Artesian Springs or Rushing Waters sugg.), about 12 ozs. each
2 Tblsp Canola Oil
1 carrot - washed, peeled, julienne
1 parsnip - washed, peeled, julienne
1 leek - washed, peeled, julienne
1 apple - washed, peeled, julienne (save peelings)
2 ozs vegetable stock
2 ozs. Apple Cider Vinegar
2 ozs. Apple Cider
Sea Salt, Black Pepper
Reserved Apple Peelings
Thyme leaves from 1 small bunch
1 small shallot, minced
2 cups apple cider
1 oz. Apple Cider Vinegar
Method
In a large sauté pan, preheat the canola oil. Add the vegetables and apple and sauté until just turning tender.
Deglaze the pan with the vinegar and stock, reduce until almost dry. Add the cider and reduce by half.
Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
In a small saucepan, place the apple trimmings, thyme leaves, shallot, cider and reduce over high heat by half.
Add the vinegar, taste, strain, season to taste, set aside. The above steps can be prepared in advance.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Season the trout inside and out with salt and pepper.
Place an even portion of the vegetable/apple stuffing inside each trout and place in a baking dish,
drizzle with canola oil. Place in the oven uncovered and bake until just done, about 12 - 15 minutes.
Serve immediately with the Cider Reduction drizzled over the top.
