Arrange this Canadian-themed appetizer on a rustic platter and let your guests pass it around. Low maintenance and delicious!

Maple-cured trout gravlax with pickled red onion and fried capers

Ingredients:

Trout

• 2 whole trout filets, cleaned and pin bones removed
• 2 cups of coarse salt
• 1/2 cup pure Canadian maple syrup
• 1 cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup shallots, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Garnish

• 2 cups of toasted rye bread croutons
• 1 cup of deep fried capers
• 1 cup of pickled red onion or thinly sliced raw red onion

Method:

Lay both filets of trout skin side down on a tray and completely cover the flesh of the fish with the coarse salt. Place in a cool location for 20 minutes.

Gently remove the salt and rinse the filets under cool water. Dry with a paper towel and then brush the flesh with the maple syrup.

In a bowl, mix the Dijon mustard, chopped dill and chopped shallots. Using your hands press the dill mixture into the maple-covered trout filets to form a crust. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning, remove the plastic and very thinly slice the trout gravlax and arrange on a server platter.

Garnish with the rye croutons, pickled red onion and fried capers.

Courtesy Jason Parsons
Peller Estates
@chefparsons