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Smoked Trout Rillettes with Radishes and Celery

4.5

(21)

Rillettes—a spread made from meat or fish that's traditionally cooked in fat—is a fitting way to kick off Christmas dinner. This lighter take still feels indulgent but comes together quickly.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 10 servings

Ingredients

3/4 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill plus sprigs for garnish
1 1/2 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups small pieces smoked trout fillets without skin and bones (about 6 to 7 ounces)
Assorted crackers and rye, pumpernickel, and black bread slices
2 bunches of small radishes, trimmed Inner celery stalks, cut into sticks

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix mascarpone, green onion, chopped dill, and 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice in small bowl. Add trout and stir gently to blend. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Transfer mixture to small serving bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

    Step 2

    Place bowl with rillettes on platter; surround with crackers, bread slices, radishes, and celery stalks and serve.

  2. WHAT TO DRINK:

    Step 3

    An oak-aged white wine with grapefruit notes and toasty flavors, like the Rudd 2005 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, $35), plays well with the smoked trout and radishes.

  3. Step 4

    *An Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets.

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