rainbow trout over onion rings

2021-08-09

Our local grocery store Peppers occasionally carries frozen whole trout. And when there's a whopper in the lot, I usually do not resist them calling my name.

Farmed rainbow trout is nowhere near as good as the ones you would catch in pristine rivers and lakes. But since we can't go there, we have to do with what comes along.

These onion rings are nothing like the breaded deep-fried ones. They're not even intended to be eaten, all soaked in oil, but you can if you want to. Their purpose is to keep the fish just above the oil and to infuse the meat with the onion flavor.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 2 servings:

2 large whole rainbow trout
2 yellow onions
cooking oil

Pic1: trout over onion rings

Directions

2021-08-09

Pic2: onions in oil
Pic3: trout on top
Pic4: extra onions

Preheat the oven @ 350 ºF.
Quick-thaw the trout in cold water. Rinse thoroughly.
Optionally, dry with paper towels to remove slime.
Peel the onions. Cut them in 1/4" rings.
Arrange the onion rings in a high-sided oven dish.
Add cooking oil without covering the rings completely.
Place the trout on top.
Optionally, add more onion rings.
Bake for 20 minutes @ 350 ºF.
That should be sufficient to fully cook such large trout throughout, flaky but juicy.
Optionally crisp the skin under the broiler for 2-3 minutes each side.
Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Pic5: remove the skin
Pic6: remove the top meat
Pic7: pull the spine

The skin should peel away very easily. Remove fins and fin bones at the same time.
Starting from the back, carefully pull away the meat from the bones towards the lateral line.
Be careful not to break the bones on the lateral line, or you'll be fishing them out of your fish for the rest of the meal.
From the lateral line, carefully peel away the meat towards the belly. (Pic6)
Starting at the front, carefully lift the spine.
Use a knife to loosen the meat at the edge, then slowly pull out the entire spine.
If you do this right, you will even get the bones on the lateral line.
Enjoy.

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more and avemariasongs.org

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more
and avemariasongs.org