Warm Fingerling Potato and Smoked Trout Salad
Thomas J. Story
Notes: Large salt-cured capers, sold in specialty food shops, open up dramatically when fried, but smaller, brine-packed ones will work too. Fingerling potatoes are available in farmers' markets and grocery stores from midsummer through early winter. Prep and cook time: about 30 minutes.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
If using salt-cured capers, put in a small bowl, cover with water, and let soak 10 minutes to remove salt; rinse and pat completely dry. (For brine-packed capers, rinse well and pat dry.)
Step 2
2
In a 4- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring 2 to 3 quarts water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook, uncovered, until tender when pierced, about 15 minutes. Drain.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, pull off and discard skin from trout. Break the fish into bite-size pieces.
Step 4
4
Set a 1- to 1 1/2-quart pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add olive oil; when it begins to ripple, add capers (use a potholder and stand back--the oil may splatter). Cook, stirring once, until berries have opened and are light brown and crisp, about 1 minute. Pour into a fine wire strainer over a 1-cup glass measure; reserve oil. Pour capers onto paper towels to drain.
Step 5
5
In a large serving bowl, whisk oil from capers with lemon juice and pepper. Stir in potatoes. Add trout, apple, and dill and mix gently. Sprinkle fried capers over the top. Serve with sour cream, if desired.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons salt-cured or drained canned capers (see notes)
2 pounds fingerling potatoes (1 by 2 in.; see notes) or other thin-skinned potatoes (2 in. wide), scrubbed and halved lengthwise
8 ounces smoked trout
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
1 tart green apple (about 5 oz.), such as Granny Smith, rinsed, cored, and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Sour cream (optional)
Directions
Step 1
1
If using salt-cured capers, put in a small bowl, cover with water, and let soak 10 minutes to remove salt; rinse and pat completely dry. (For brine-packed capers, rinse well and pat dry.)
Step 2
2
In a 4- to 6-quart pan over high heat, bring 2 to 3 quarts water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook, uncovered, until tender when pierced, about 15 minutes. Drain.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, pull off and discard skin from trout. Break the fish into bite-size pieces.
Step 4
4
Set a 1- to 1 1/2-quart pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add olive oil; when it begins to ripple, add capers (use a potholder and stand back--the oil may splatter). Cook, stirring once, until berries have opened and are light brown and crisp, about 1 minute. Pour into a fine wire strainer over a 1-cup glass measure; reserve oil. Pour capers onto paper towels to drain.
Step 5
5
In a large serving bowl, whisk oil from capers with lemon juice and pepper. Stir in potatoes. Add trout, apple, and dill and mix gently. Sprinkle fried capers over the top. Serve with sour cream, if desired.
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