Hot smoking!

Husband and son went fishing to Stocks Reservoir and came back with some wonderful trout.

Having seen people smoking fish on the T.V. I got it into my head that I wanted to smoke them. However the problem was I don't have a smoker.

I asked the question to the good people on Twitter and got several good replies back on making your own smoker. The best response I got was from @gilesthefish, our local and most excellent fishmonger from Wellgate Fisheries in Clitheroe, who advised me he had a spare smoker that I could borrow!

So I shot off into town to collect from the shop, Scott who works there gave me instructions on how to use and what to put in the brine.

The trout was filleted and pin-boned and placed in a mixture of salt, sugar and treacle diluted with water for about 20 mins. This was then rinsed off and the fish patted dry.

They were then placed in the smoker and left to smoke and cook for about 20 mins.

The result was fantastic, a lovely smoky and very succulent fish. Fabulous!

As the trout turned out so well venison and pheasant were removed from the freezer to defrost overnight. Unfortunately what we thought were pheasant breast turned out to be legs but this did not deter. Using a similar method of placing in brine, rinsing then smoking the end result was good!

So I now have smoked trout, venison and pheasant just need to think of some recipes to use them in.

Watch this space!

Spanish Pheasant

Yesterday when I looked in my cupboards for something to prepare for tea - they were fairly bare!

With no access to shops and working until 8pm I needed to come up with something for tea for 4!

Fortunately I had some Pheasant breasts in the fridge, but what to do with them? Store cupboard was nearly empty, fridge much the same way.

So with what I could lay my hands on I made what I called Spanish Pheasant!

Gently fried 2 chopped onions, 3 cloves of garlic, celery & carrots in Olive Oil.

Added halved Cherry Tomatoes and a good squeeze of Tomato Puree.

In went the Pheasant Breast cubed.

A couple of teaspoons of Hot Smoked Paprika and some Chicken stock.

Simmered gently for a couple of hours.

Towards the end of cooking added some butter beans.

Was delicious served with homemade Ciabatta.

Perhaps next time will add some Chorizo or peppers. You could also serve it with rice or potatoes and veg.

A nice glass of white wine and I was very pleased with my something out of nothing tea!