Fish/ Recipe/ Salads

Smoked Trout & Granny Smith Salad

…Or so this city would have you believe.
 
Summer Salad
Everyone smokes in Toronto! Everyone!…
 
Okay, maybe not everyone. But compared to Victoria, it might as well be!
 
I know, I know. You’re likely very sick of listening to me ramble on and on and on about pining over Victoria and moving to Toronto and the differences between them. Last one. I promise. Or at least, I promise to do it less.
 
Spring salad greens
Like smoking! People should smoke less. In Victoria, nobody smokes. Or at least those that do have the basic decency to hide it lest they be shunned from the island. Cigarette butts go in the garbage. And patios are blissfully fresh with nothing going in my mouth except the drink I ordered. More or less.
 
Yeah…. People still smoke on patios here. They also throw their butts and half smoked cigarettes on the ground. They think nothing of lighting up in front of children or in cars and they wonder why I have to speed past them like a bat out of Hell when I get stuck walking behind them, inhaling their ef’n second hand smoke.
 
fresh Spring salad
I apologize if you’re a smoker and you’re reading this. You have as much right to smoke as I have a right not to – so please don’t make me. Go ahead – give yourself lung cancer but again, please don’t give it to me. And for the love of everything that is good and beautiful in the world – PLEASE put your butts in the garbage. It’s funny how if I tossed a bag full of trash on the ground, I’d likely get berated and beaten. Why is it okay to let someone throw tiny wads of cotton and paper all over our streets and parks? It’s not – I tell you. It’s not okay. It’s just not.
 
Stop smoking!
 
….Unless of course, you’re smoking fish. 
 
green apple and lettuce greens
Now that’s my kind of smoking! I don’t have a smoker myself nor do I know how to do it. If you do, do tell! So when I saw some smoked fish at my local fish monger the other day, I had to get some. Mmmmm, mmmmm! Pair that rich fish with a little crisp apple and seasonal greens and you’ve got yourself one happy Kristy! 
 
Unless you light one up after dinner… In which case, you’ll have someone to answer to. Dear smoker, meet Mr. fist. Or Mrs. Fist. Or Ms. Fist? ….Hm.
 

Smoked Trout & Granny Smith Salad

Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

For Salad:

  • 20 oz. Smoked Trout, skin removed.
  • 6 Large Handfuls of Fresh Salad Greens, washed & well dried.
  • 1/2 Granny Smith Apple.
  • Juice of 1/2 Lemon.
  • 1/3 C Slivered Almonds, toasted.
  • 4 Quail Eggs.
  • Coarse Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper.

For Dressing:

  • 1 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
  • 1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar.
  • Juice of 1/2 Lemon.
  • Coarse Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper.

Instructions

  1. Bring a medium sized pot with water and quail eggs to a boil over high heat. As soon as it hits a rolling boil, turn off the heat, cover and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and place eggs in an ice bath. Once cool to touch, carefully peel the eggs and slice in half. Set aside.
  2. As the eggs cook, measure the dressing ingredients in a mason jar, seal with a tight fitting lid and shake shake shake. Taste. Add more salt, pepper or vinegar if necessary. It should be slightly more acidic than you think you want it and seasoned well. Set aside.
  3. Next, core and matchstick the apple. Using a mandolin is very useful here. If you don't have one, slice and slice again to make thin "matchsticks", as uniform in size and shape as possible. Toss in the lemon juice and set aside.
  4. Now assemble! Place the greens in a large bowl - or pull a Jamie Oliver and use a cutting board - and drizzle with a few Tbsp of the emulsified dressing - don't add too much dressing or your leaves with be heavy and oily. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Gently and gingerly toss the greens with your hands. Work in most of the almonds, apple and trout, topping with the greens and a sprinkle of each ingredient. Place cooked and peeled eggs on the side of salad. If you have some fresh herbs handy like parsley or dill, roughly chop a bit and top the leaves with them.
  5. Serve on its own for a light meal or as a side for something meaty and delicious from the BBQ.
  6. Eat.

 

Do you smoke? Cigarettes, fish or otherwise? Have any strong feelings on the subject? What drives you bat shit crazy?

 

This post is linked up with The Hearth and Soul Blog Hop via The 21st Century Housewife; Tasty Tuesdays; Slightly Indulgent Tuesday; Tuesday Talent Show; Scratch Cookin’ Tuesday; Cast Party Wednesday; Whole Foods Wednesday; Fugal Days, Sustainable Ways; What’s In The Box?; Showcase Your Talent Thursday; Full Plate Thursday; Simple Lives Thursday;Fresh Bites Friday; Fight Back Friday; Foodie Friday;

  • Soozle
    April 1, 2013 at 4:19 PM

    I quit smoking just over a year ago.. I am mortified NOW to realize just HOW badly it lingers on a person… or how much the smoke travels no matter how much someone trys to be respectful!

    I realize (painfully) that it’s an addiction and know first hand how hard it is to quit… but I am still a little shocked at how disgusting it actually is… even as someone who ENJOYED smoking and basically quit for the sake of my health!

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 1, 2013 at 9:02 PM

      It’s totally an addiction and I in no way want to convey that I think it’s easy to just stop. But you’re right Snoozle – it lingers.

  • Kristina @ spabettie
    April 1, 2013 at 5:02 PM

    I have never been a smoker. Since I have been taking care of my father for the last 15 months as he endures aggressive chemo and rad for a throat cancer I will eventually lose him to, yep, I have strong feelings on the subject. I have a dear friend who smokes and I so badly want him to quit.

    Here we have no smoking in restaurants and bars as of a few years ago. It is SO nice to be able to go to bars again for rock shows, etcetera.

    and YES I do smoke with my smoker! that thing is SO fun and gives such great flavor to food!

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 1, 2013 at 9:03 PM

      I NEED A SMOKER!! Where did you get yours?

      Also, I’m so sorry Kristina to hear about your dad. I can’t imagine that kind of pain – you’re strong and brave and a good daughter. xo.

  • Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
    April 2, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    I think I’ve tried smoked trout, but my favorite is smoked mackerel. Yum! I tried it at the market near the water front in downtown Helsinki and that one spoiled me forever.
    I’m appalled at the butts on the ground. Once we had the privilege of cleaning up the Vietnam Veteran’s memorial in downtown DC and the bulk of the trash was butts. Disgusting.

    Thanks, Kristy, for a tasty-looking recipe!

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 3, 2013 at 2:59 PM

      one word: ew.

      p.s. mackerel sounds great – i’ve never tried it!

  • Lindsey at NW Backyard Veggies
    April 2, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    100% AGREE about the smoking thing. Mostly because I can’t stand the smell of it (I smoked for 7 years, and now can’t stand it. Irony.) but also because birds eat the butts and die when they can’t poop them out.

    Also, coincidentally, why I don’t like balloons. Not because I inhaled helium for 7 years, but because deflated balloons kill critters. And never decompose.

    But I digress.

    Pinned this recipe. And I’m also going to be breeding quail starting in 4 weeks so I will have access to quail eggs. WHICH ARE THE BOMB.

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 3, 2013 at 3:00 PM

      JEALOUS! I want little quail birds!

      ….also, i had no idea about the bird thing! Awwww… i now have another reason to hate smoking.

  • litlsis
    April 3, 2013 at 2:54 AM

    This is my first encounter with your Victoria pining, and having been there, I am very sympthetic. We’ve moved to a slightly more rural area and I was astonished at the increase in smoking and throwing butts any old where. Don’t miss the rudeness and arrogance of our old digs, but could definitely do without the smoking…. This looks lovely, BTW.

  • April @ The 21st Century Housewife
    April 4, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    I’m sorry you are missing Victoria, but I can definitely understand why! I can’t bear second hand smoke either. My husband quite smoking when I was pregnant with our son 20 years ago – he literally just stopped one day – and now we both find that smoke really bothers us.

    Anyway, I love the sound of your smoked trout salad. The flavours sound amazing. The tart Granny Smith apple would really make the smoked trout flavours ‘pop’. I like the simply delicious vinaigrette too.

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 4, 2013 at 3:07 PM

      that’s funny April – John did the same thing. Just decided one day to quit, and he quit! I know from what he’s said that it wasn’t easy but it had to be done.

  • Diane Balch
    April 6, 2013 at 10:18 PM

    Wow, I don’t see people smoking a ton in NYC anymore except the Rastafarians… but that’s organic. Nice salad… great title… you are gifted my dear. Thanks for coming by foodie friday, like having you.

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 8, 2013 at 1:53 AM

      haha – and that’s not so bad. At least, being from B.C., that’s not so bad 🙂

      p.s. thank you so much Diane. That’s one of the nicest things anyone has said about my blog ever. and me. xo. I like having you too.

  • Miz Helen
    April 7, 2013 at 7:31 PM

    Your recipe is awesome and thank you so much for sharing it at the table with Full Plate Thursday.
    Hope to see you again soon!
    Miz Helen

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 8, 2013 at 1:53 AM

      See you soon Miz Helen! Thank you!

  • Alea Milham
    April 9, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Amen! If you are going to smoke something, smoke fish! Your salad looks absolutely amazing! I will be adding it to my menu next week.

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 9, 2013 at 6:23 PM

      oooh I can’t wait to see Alea!! Thanks so much!

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    April 9, 2013 at 2:48 PM

    The tenant that lives in the basement of the house I rent smokes inside. It drives me batty because my belongings – my clothes, furniture, etc. – have started to take on the reek of smoke. I am honestly considering moving at the end of my lease simply due to this fact. I love the house and the location, but the smoke is killing me (quite literally). I have asked him to smoke outside (numerous times), but he seems to think that I’m not picking up on the fact that he’s still doing it. BLERG!
    Smoked fish on the other hand…I’ll take it. This salad looks lovely and refreshing.
    PS. I still can’t get over how awesome your new blog design looks. Makes me smile!

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 9, 2013 at 6:24 PM

      YOU make me smile!

      And…btw… EWWWWWW!!! What is wrong with people?! Smokers have no idea how permeating the scent of their smoke is!

  • Heather @ InHerChucks
    April 11, 2013 at 7:03 AM

    As always, your food looks awesome. I wish we lived closer because I would totally be over for dinner on time 🙂

    Thanks for sharing and linking up! I have been terrible lately about linking up to you. I have every intention to do so and then get distracted mid cut and paste. I hope you will forgive me…

    • Kristy Gardner
      April 14, 2013 at 4:14 PM

      YOU look awesome! 🙂 and heck yeah you would!

  • Teresa, foodonfifth.com
    April 14, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    Smoked meats? yes. Smoked cigarettes? No.
    It is interesting that as time goes by one sees less and less folks smoking. I traveled to Kentucky recently to work on a job and was amazed to see everyone smoking everywhere. No holds barred! I finally figured out that Kentucky’s main cash crop is tobacco!