Ingredients

  • 1 whole hot-smoked trout (around 400g)
  • 1/2 cup (125g) risoni pasta
  • 1 bulb fennel, finely sliced
  • ½ small purple onion, finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon baby capers, well rinsed and drained
  • 2 large handfuls (125g) baby spinach leaves, washed

Dressing ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon baby capers, well rinsed and drained, extra
  • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Author of this recipe

Catherine Saxelby

Catherine Saxelby

Health professional / educator

I love salads and eat one in some form every day, either as a main meal OR as a side to a grill or burger. Some of my favourite accompaniments are a Greek salad, coleslaw, fragrant Vietnamese... Read more

Eating oily fish twice a week is recommended for your overall good health, especially for your heart and blood. This refreshing salad with crunchy fennel and gremolata dressing is paired perfectly with smoked trout. 

Total votes: 731

Preparation

Peel skin off trout and carefully remove flesh of trout from bone structure. With a fork, break the trout fillet into small chunks. You should end up with about 200g of trout flesh.

Cook the risoni in a large saucepan of boiling water according to the packet instructions. While this is cooking, make up the Gremolata so it’s ready to toss through the cooked risoni. Drain risoni and while still warm, toss with the Gremolata, fennel, onion and capers in a large bowl.

Gently toss trout through the risoni mixture to combine. Add in spinach leaves and toss again to combine. The leaves won’t wilt – just soften deliciously! Alternatively place spinach leaves on the base of six bowls and add a top layer of the trout-risoni mixture.

To make the Lemon Gremolata

Blend the oil, parsley, lemon juice, mustard, capers and zest in a blender for 30 seconds or until thick and smooth. 

Tips from the author

You must still remove any long bones from the trout, which are dangerous due to their size and strength. Check the fish carefully as you break the trout up, so you don’t end up with a fish bone in your throat! 

Photo credit: Jasmin Kooper 

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