Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon drained and rinsed capers
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon
  • 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • Juice of 1 medium lime
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 ounces smoked trout meat (from about three 8-ounce whole smoked trout; see Game Plan note)
  • Crackers or thinly sliced toasts, for serving

Method

  • In a medium, nonreactive bowl, combine the creme fraiche or sour cream, capers, chives, tarragon, paprika, cayenne, and lime juice.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Using your hands, break the trout into bite-sized pieces, discarding any bones and skin.
  • Add the fish to the creme fraiche mixture.
  • Stir rapidly with a spoon, using the spoon to break up the fish, until the mixture is a spreadable consistency.
  • Season with salt and pepper as desired.
  • Serve on crackers or thinly sliced toasts.