Here's a recipe I call
Hammer Handle Lake Trout Casino.
I used a small lake trout I got the other day. My Dad always called these small lakers, "hammer handles" or "fish sammiches". Well, this one was a hit when we ate it. This is a great recipe. Clams aren't the only kinds of fish that you can use a good casino topping on!
First, acquire a lake trout. A small one will do.
Fillet that baby down and skin it up!
I wish that I had taken a few pictures of how I fillet and skin fish for the pilgrims. I also wish that I showed how I use needle nose pliers to surgically remove the pin bones. Oh well, hindsight is always 20-20. Next time, I guess.
Now, cook off some bacon.
Reserve some of the fat from the bacon in a pan. I don't generally throw away bacon grease. I like to use it for stuff.
Get your "mis en place" for your casino topping.
You'll need to dice the onions and the bell pepper into tiny cubes 1/4"x1/4"X1/4" and chop up the garlic way finer than that (mince it).
Now, throw some butter in with the bacon grease. Don't give me any lip, just DO IT. Butter is your
privilege and your
RIGHT. This is important information. Don't waste it, use it wisely.
Butter is your friend.Yes, that's nice. Yessss...
Now you can start cooking the onions. Not too fast and not too slow. Keep 'em moving and don't let them brown!
Once the onions just start to turn translucent and they are just starting to get cooked, throw in the diced bell pepper. Let this cook until the peppers are just done, then add the garlic and cook only a few minutes longer. You never want to allow your garlic to get too browned. In fact, in this dish, I don't like to cook the garlic in too much at all. I want it to be kinda sharp and spicy.
Now, add some more butter. Yes, it's okay! Add some breadcrumbs, but not too much. Chop up your bacon and throw that in, too. Go easy on the breadcrumbs, don't overdo it. At this point you wanna do some seasoning. Sprinkle in some sea salt and some black pepper.
You want this mixture to be loose, not all bound together like a stuffing.
Now, top your Hammer Handles.
Very nice. Very nice indeed.
Okay, now slice up some butter and put little squares on top.
Trust me, I know what I am doing.
Look, are we going to have a
problem?
Now bake these puppies off in a nice, hot, 375 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes, tops. You want the fish fillet to break when you slide a spatula halfway under the fillet and gently lift.
Should have took a picture to demonstrate this. Made a mental note to self to do it next time...
We enjoyed our Hammer Handle Lake Trout Casino with fresh beans and some Zatarain's rice.
Talk about delicious... Every bite was like a party in my mouth!
Fish On!!!!
-Woodroce
.
