Smoked Trout with Beets, Sour Cream and Chives
Created by April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig

The rich flavors of smoked trout and roasted beets get a lift from fresh chives and a side of sour cream.

Ingredients:
Serves 8

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic , unpeeled
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2 pounds medium beets , stems trimmed to 1 inch
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 whole   smoked trout (about 10 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 small bunch chives , thinly sliced
Preheat oven to 350°. Using a mortar and pestle, lightly crush thyme and garlic. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, toss beets with thyme mixture. Turn beets into a foil-lined 13" x 9" baking pan. Pour 1/2 cup water into pan and cover with foil. Roast beets until tender, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water to pan if necessary. Let beets cool; remove skins. Cut beets into bite-size pieces and place in a medium bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add 4 tablespoons dressing to beets and toss well.

Remove and discard head, tail, skin and bones from trout. Flake trout into a bowl and drizzle with remaining dressing. In a small bowl, whisk sour cream, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper.

Divide beets among plates and top with trout. Spoon sour cream around beets and sprinkle with chives and pepper.