Smoked-Trout Spread

condiment/spread fish appetizer no-cook cocktail party quick & easy trout chill gourmet sugar conscious kidney friendly pescatarian wheat/gluten-free peanut free tree nut free soy free no sugar added kosher

N/A

Makes about 4 cups

Source

Ingredients

1 lb smoked trout fillets, skin discarded and any silver skin scraped off

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup finely chopped shallot

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tabasco

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup cold water

Accompaniment: whole-grain crackers

Method

Flake trout and transfer 2 cups to a food processor, then blend with butter, shallot, dill, lemon juice, hot sauce, and pepper until smooth. Reserve remaining trout.

With motor running, add water to trout purée in a slow stream and process until water is absorbed, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and fold in reserved trout, then pack mixture into a 4-cup glass or ceramic mold or bowl. Cover surface with wax paper, then tightly cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 6 hours to allow flavors to develop. Bring spread to room temperature before serving. (This will take 1 to 2 hours.)