Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that will transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast! 🐟🥓 Imagine a dish so tantalizing, it'll make your taste buds dance with pure delight - our Pan Fried Brook Trout with Bacon is not just a recipe, it's a gastronomic experience that promises to elevate your home cooking from mundane to magnificent. With a perfect balance of crispy, golden-brown fish and smoky, crisp bacon, this recipe is about to become your new obsession in the kitchen!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 brook trout fillets
- 2 slices bacon, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Rinse the brook trout fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This will help achieve a nice sear when cooking. Season both sides of the fillets with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a medium skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat. Allow the bacon to render its fat and become crispy, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Leave the rendered bacon fat in the skillet for added flavor.
- In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add the vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. The oil will help prevent the butter from burning. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the brook trout fillets to the skillet, skin side down. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the fish is golden brown.
- Using a spatula, gently flip the trout fillets over. Add the unsalted butter to the skillet at this point. As the butter melts, spoon the melted butter over the fillets to baste them, which will enhance the flavor and moisture of the fish. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the trout is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Once the trout is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a serving plate. Sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces over the top of the fillets for added texture and flavor.
- For an optional touch, serve the pan-fried brook trout with lemon wedges on the side. Squeezing fresh lemon juice over the fish just before eating can brighten the dish and enhance the flavors.
- Enjoy your delicious pan-fried brook trout with bacon, perfect for a satisfying meal any time of the day!
Tips
- Pat the trout fillets completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect, crispy sear.
- Use a cast-iron skillet if possible for the best heat distribution and flavor development.
- Don't rush the bacon rendering process - low and slow creates the most flavorful fat.
- Basting the fish with melted butter is key to keeping the trout moist and adding rich flavor.
- Watch the cooking time carefully - brook trout cooks quickly and can become dry if overcooked.
- Fresh lemon is a game-changer - the citrus brightness cuts through the richness of the fish and bacon.
- Serve immediately for the crispiest skin and most enjoyable texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 360kcal
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 110mg
