Orange-cured trout | Recipe of the week

After a particularly challenging year for so many and the fact that even at Christmas we were still restricted to see many of our family lets hope the following year brings a bit more comfort and joy.
By Lawrence Murphy
Published 26th Dec 2020, 00:00 BST
Orange-cured trout by Lawrence MurphyOrange-cured trout by Lawrence Murphy
Orange-cured trout by Lawrence Murphy

It’s Boxing Day so we are traditionally eating left over turkey, pickles and possibly the toffees left in the sweet tub. Its also a day when we start to think about new year’s eve, which I’m sure will be different for all of us.

The big parties will not take place and the fireworks won’t happen, however you’ve got plenty of time to plan a dinner party for yourself to say good bye to 2020.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This orange-cured trout dish takes some time to prepare but will give you a great start to any special dinner.

Let’s look forward to seeing family and friends next year and a possibility of some form of normality.

Hope you are all well and I look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Ingredients, serves 4

400g Chalk stream or large trout fillet

2 oranges zest and juice

100g sea salt

140g caster sugar

Tea spoon fennel seed

For the sauce:

2 oranges

1 small onion

100 ml olive oil

Pinch xanthium gum

1 fennel bulb

Juice from 1/2 orange

Method

1. Remove the bones and skin from the fish. Trim the brown coloured flesh away. Wrap in cling-film and freeze for 48 which kills any harmful bacteria

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

2. Defrost the fish and lay it in the juice of the two oranges for 1 hour (in a fridge)

3. Mix the salt, sugar, fennel seed and zest from the oranges together.

4. Lay a large sheet of cling-film on the work surface and put half of this mix onto it. Spread it out to the same size as your fish.

5. Put the fish on top and then spread the rest of the salt mix over the fish.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

6. Wrap completely in cling-film and put onto a tray in the fridge.

7. Turn the fish over after 12 hours and then leave for another 12 hours.

8. Remove the fish from the cure and wash under a running tap.

9. Pat dry with kitchen towel. Wrap in cling-film and put back in the fridge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

10. To make the the sauce zest the oranges into a saucepan add all the other ingredients and the juice from the oranges.

11. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Liquidise and allow to cool.

12. Thinly slice the fennel bulb and sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt. Let it stand for 20 minutes. Wash and then add the orange juice and mix together

13. To plate spoon the orange sauce onto plates, cut the trout and place on top and then add a small pile of the fennel salad on top.