SMOKED TROUT AND BEET SALAD WITH PINK CAVIAR

Smoked Trout and Beet Salad With Pink Caviar image

This pretty winter salad gets an upgrade with a garnish of trout roe, sometimes known as pink caviar. Salmon roe is an option, too, as is a dab of relatively inexpensive paddlefish caviar. Make the salad as a first course composed on individual plates, or, for a stand-up cocktail affair, serve a small amount of the mixture spooned into the sturdy red leaves.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories dinner, finger foods, salads and dressings, appetizer

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

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Ingredients

1 small shallot, finely diced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds medium yellow beets
2 tender celery stalks, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
Salt and pepper
Radicchio, Treviso or red endive leaves
5 ounces smoked trout fillets, or more if desired
4 red radishes, very thinly sliced
1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped (optional)
2 ounces trout roe, salmon roe or paddlefish caviar (about 3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons snipped chives
Dill sprigs, for garnish

Steps:

Make the vinaigrette: Put shallots, mustard, lemon zest and vinegars in a small bowl and stir together. Season with salt and pepper. Leave for 5 minutes to macerate, then whisk in oil. Set aside.
Prepare the salad: Scrub beets, then simmer in abundant salted water until tender when pierced with a skewer, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and cool slightly. When beets are still somewhat warm, rub off and discard skins. Trim any rough bits with a paring knife.
Cut beets into half-moon slices, 1/4-inch thick, and place in a medium bowl. Add celery slices. Season with salt and pepper and dress with half the vinaigrette. Toss well with your hands to coat.
Arrange salad leaves on individual plates, then distribute beet mixture. Break smoked trout fillets into rough 1-inch pieces and arrange over beets. Scatter a few radish slices over each salad. Add some chopped egg, if using. Sprinkle lightly with salt and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette.
Top each salad with a generous teaspoon of trout roe and sprinkle with chives and dill sprigs.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 165, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 443 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams