Herb-Roasted Trout with Buttery Almonds
Lemon slices and a bounty of hardy herbs flavor these tender whole trout from the inside out, while toasted almonds provide a crunchy finish. Tucked inside and underneath the fish, sprigs of rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage release their essential oils during roasting without getting too crisp in the oven. Serve these roasted trout over a simple spring salad of arugula and thinly sliced fennel and radishes.
Shallow-Poached Salmon with Leek Beurre Blanc
Shallow poaching under a cartouche, a circle of parchment paper, yields tender fish in minutes. This method works with any mild fish, such as flounder, rockfish, or grouper. If any fillets are of uneven thickness (such as tapered portions near the tail), fold the thin portion underneath to achieve an even 3/4-inch thickness.
Tuna Croquettes
These irresistibly crispy bites transform a grazing board into a hearty supper; a drizzle of honey takes them over the top. Begin frying these breaded croquettes immediately after removing them from the freezer to help them hold their shape. To accompany the croquettes, sommelier Fahara Zamorano recommends Etna Rosso, a multifaceted wine with red fruits and floral, herbaceous notes. "It can match the most intricate of spreads," says Zamorano.
Smoked Trout with Roasted Radishes and Fennel–Stone Fruit Salad
At Racines in New York City, Diego Moya served confit trout with an almond oil, apricot kernel vinegar, and honey vinaigrette with tart underripe peaches. This homage leans on store-bought smoked trout and aged sherry vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dish. Pascaline Lepeltier pairs a dry, powerful, but nervy white: Jurançon Sec. "The aromas are unique, a mix of delicate passion fruit, freesia, lemon verbena, sage, dry honey, and so much smoked salt.”
Salmon Niçoise Salad
Tender salmon, briny olives, crisp-tender green beans, and satisfying potatoes all soak up the zippy, perfectly balanced dressing in this variation on a classic tuna Niçoise. Don’t skip the anchovy garnish—it provides pops of umami saltiness that take this salad over the top. Niçoise olives can sometimes be hard to find, but if you can’t find them in jars, be sure to check your market’s olive bar or substitute with kalamatas if you have to.
Sorghum and Albacore Tuna Salad with Preserved Lemon
Sorghum, a nutritious and sustainable grain, adds a pleasantly chewy bite to this simple salad from Roxana Jullapat, the co-owner and baker of Los Angeles restaurant Friends & Family. If you’re going to use sorghum grains as a salad base, she advises, presoak the sorghum at least 8 hours for the best texture, wash the grains before cooking to remove extra starch, and cook them with abundant water, like pasta. Once cooked, spread them on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil so the grains don’t stick together as much. Preserved lemon is a popular North African condiment made by pickling the fruit in salt and its own juice. The bracing lemony flavor adds a salty kick to this olive-, onion-, and fresh herb–laden tuna salad.
