Name: Smoked Trout Dip with Pickled Veggies and Quail Eggs
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H55M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT2H35M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound whole ocean trout, no bones (skin on is fine); 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling fish; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; Juice of 1 lemon; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives; 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill; 20 haricots verts, cut on a bias 1/2-inch-long; 2 shallots, shaved on a mandoline about 1/4-inch-thick; 1/4 head cauliflower, cut into baby florets; 2 cups red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons sugar; Kosher salt; 8 quail eggs; 4 pieces ciabatta, toasted aggressively on the grill on both sides; 1 clove garlic; Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon; Good finishing oil, for drizzling; 4 sprigs fresh dill

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Special equipment:

a mandoline; a smoker; 4 cups apple wood smoke chips; a perforated half-200 or 2-inch deep pan

Preheat a smoker to medium heat (per manufacturer's directions) and add the wood chips.
For the trout dip: In a perforated half-200 or 2-inch deep pan, rub the fish with the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put the fish into the smoker and allow to smoke for about 15 minutes. Remove and let cool, then pick flesh into large pieces.
Mix the smoked trout with the lemon juice, olive oil, sour cream, chives and dill. Season with salt and set aside.
For the pickled veggies: Put the haricots, shallots and cauliflower florets in their own bowls. Heat the vinegar and sugar and a pinch of kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Stir, then pour over all the veggies individually until fully covered. Allow to cool completely to room temperature.
Bring one quart water to a boil in a small saucepan. Drop the quail eggs into the water and simmer for 2 minutes. Put directly into an ice bath. Peel when cooled, then quarter into wedges and reserve.
Rub the toasted bread with the garlic and sprinkle with the flaked sea salt. Drizzle with the finishing oil. Slice the bread into 1-inch-thick planks.
Add the trout dip to a serving bowl and top with the pickled veggies and quail egg and garnish with the dill. Serve with the bread.