Name: Whisky-cured ocean trout on rye crispbread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 250 gm coarse sea salt; 200 gm white sugar; 1 tbsp fennel seeds, roasted, lightly crushed; 60 ml Scotch whisky; 400 gm piece of skinless ocean trout, pin-boned; 12 thin slices of light rye bread, crusts removed (about ½ loaf); For brushing: olive oil; 1 spring onion bulb, shaved; To serve: salmon roe and watercress sprouts (see note)

Whisky-cured ocean trout on rye crispbread

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for whisky-cured ocean trout on rye crispbread.

Serves 8

Prep

20M

Cook

30M

Total

50M

You can also serve this trout as a light starter with asparagus and watercress salad. You’ll need to begin this recipe a day ahead.

Ingredients

250 gm coarse sea salt

200 gm white sugar

1 tbsp fennel seeds, roasted, lightly crushed

60 ml Scotch whisky

400 gm piece of skinless ocean trout, pin-boned

12 thin slices of light rye bread, crusts removed (about ½ loaf)

For brushing: olive oil

1 spring onion bulb, shaved

To serve: salmon roe and watercress sprouts (see note)

Method

Main

1.Combine salt, sugar, fennel seeds and whisky in a bowl. Lay 2 sheets of plastic wrap, long enough to wrap trout, on top of each other. Spread with half the salt mixture, place trout on top, spread with remaining salt mixture, cover tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate, weighted with tray and food cans, turning halfway through curing, for 24 hours.

2.Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200C. Cut 2 rounds from each bread slice using a 4cm cutter, brush with oil, place on lightly oiled oven trays, top with baking paper, then weight with an oven tray. Bake, in batches, turning halfway through cooking, until golden (12-15 minutes). Cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Crispbread will keep for 1 week.

3.Unwrap trout and wipe clean of salt mixture. Thinly slice using a sharp knife and serve on crispbreads topped with shaved onion, salmon roe and watercress sprouts.

Watercress sprouts are available from specialty greengrocers. You can substitute with other sprouts or micro herbs.
Drink Suggestion: Blanc de blancs Champagne. Drink suggestion by Max Allen
Notes