Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • 1 head escarole, cleaned
  • 2 pounds baby artichokes, cleaned and halved
  • 5 plum tomatoes, halved
  • 5 shallots, halved
  • 4 (12 to 16-ounce) whole rainbow trout, cleaned, head removed, and butterflied
  • 2 cups flour
  • Essence, recipe follows
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons very fine grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • Preheat a grill.
  • Lightly oil the escarole, artichokes, tomatoes, and shallots and place on the grill.
  • Grill until tender, removing as they finish and placing on a large platter.
  • Press down on the trout to completely open and flatten.
  • Season the flour with Essence, salt, and pepper and place in a shallow dish.
  • Dredge the trout in the seasoned flour.
  • Add butter and oil to a hot saute pan.
  • Pan-fry the trout until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
  • Place the fish on top of the grilled vegetables and top with balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, and parsley.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
  • Yield: about 2/3 cup
  • Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch.
  • Published by William and Morrow, 1993.