Featured Recipe
Herbed Trout Soup
By Kate
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A light, flavorful trout soup with fresh herbs and greens. Uses homemade or store-bought fish stock simmered just right to preserve flakey trout texture. Aromatic herbs like parsley replace coriander, while tender kale swaps out roquette. A subtle kick from finely diced fresno chile adds depth. Lime wedges finish it off, brightening each spoonful. Cooking focuses on visual and textural cues — avoid overcooking trout to keep moisture locked in. Silky broth with a fresh, herbaceous punch. Allergy conscious with no gluten, dairy, eggs, or nuts.
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Prep:
15 min
Cook:
12 min
Total:
27 min
Serves:
4 servings
soup
seafood
healthy eating
quick meals
gluten-free
Introduction
Forget sprawling simmer times or drowning fish in herbs. Start mid-heat, the stock barely whispering bubbles — listen, watch. Trout is delicate, no room for guessing. Watch the flesh twitch from translucent to milky white sheen; stop the heat before it snaps dry. Fresh parsley cuts sharper than coriander, kale sturdier than roquette — these swaps hold up better in the brief simmer, adding robust green notes without wilting into mush. A fresno chile cuts clean heat, unlike dried flakes that obscure. Lime wedges at plating revive and lift, that acid a necessary break from richness. No fuss, no overcooked broth. Just focused, utilitarian technique for real flavor hits under a half hour.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Parsley is an easy switch for coriander if unavailable or if its odor is too strong. Flat-leaf parsley is preferred for its depth of flavor and bright color. Kale stands up to the simmer longer than delicate greens like arugula or spinach—remember: wilting isn’t always loss, but a texture you control. Yellow bell pepper swaps red for subtle sweetness without overpowering. Fresno chile is milder and fresher than typical hot peppers; skip if unavailable or substitute with serrano cautiously—heat levels vary. Trout fillets should be fresh and skinless to avoid bitterness—if skin remains, trim off with a sharp knife pre-cubing. Fish stock homemade? Use bones and aromatics simmered gently for 20 minutes maximum; too long yields bitterness. Store-bought is fine, but check salt levels before adding more. Lime wedges essential for finishing acidity, can swap with lemon but lime’s floral notes better match fish.
Method
Technique Tips
Simmering fish like trout requires sensory vigilance. Bubbling too hard tears delicate flesh apart; too low and the fish won’t cook evenly. Visual cue: translucent flesh shifts to opaque in about 2 to 4 minutes at a gentle simmer — no longer. Overcooking results in rubbery, dry cubes spoiling the broth’s silky texture. Adding greens last ensures freshness and slight crunch remain — if added too early, they vanish into a bland puree floating in the broth. Salt after adding herbs and greens to balance extraction and bitterness. Stir gently, no vigorous agitation; you want ingredients to mingle but not disintegrate. Serve directly from pot to bowls to keep the herbaceous aroma alive. Squeeze lime just before eating; heat dulls acid brightness. Troubleshoot cloudy broth by straining before adding fish; fish stock quality defines the final soup. Need a shortcut? Use good canned clam juice or vegetable broth with a splash of fish sauce.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Use a gentle simmer for fish stock. Too hot? Trout becomes dry. Too cool? Uneven cooking. Bubbles should just break surface.
- 💡 Trout changes in under 4 minutes—keep watch. Translucent to opaque. Key to moisture. Overcooking yields rubbery texture.
- 💡 Substitute parsley if coriander’s flavor is too strong. Flat-leaf preferred for depth. And kale instead of spinach—sturdier against simmering.
- 💡 Lime is essential—don’t skip it. Bright acidity balances trout richness. Squeeze on top just before enjoying to elevate flavors.
- 💡 Check fish stock salt levels early. Add more only when needed. Store-bought can vary. Better to taste first.
Kitchen Wisdom
How do you ensure trout is cooked right?
Watch for the color shift from translucent to opaque. Should remain glossy in center.
What if I don’t have fresno chile?
Use serrano cautiously or skip entirely. Adjusting heat preference considered.
How do I store leftover soup?
Cool quickly. Refrigerate in airtight containers. Consume within 2-3 days for best quality.
Can I use other fish?
Dick around with similar fish—like salmon or cod. Adjust cooking times for thickness differences.
