Smoked Trout Toasts with Pickled Red Onion

Smoked Trout Toasts with Pickled Red Onion

The classic flavors of smoked trout, cream cheese, and pickled onions combine in these tasty bites that are perfect for a Hanukkah teatime.

Smoked Trout Toasts with Pickled Red Onion
Serves: 24
 
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup (⅛-inch) sliced red onion
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 6 slices Jewish rye pumpernickel bread
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 ounce skinless smoked trout cut into 24 (¾-inch) pieces, pin bones removed
  • Garnish: fresh dill fronds
Instructions
  1. Place onion in a small heatproof bowl.
  2. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar, ¼ cup water, sugar, salt, and coriander seeds to a boil together over medium-high heat. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and pour over onion. Let cool for 30 minutes. Transfer mixture to an airtight container, and refrigerate until needed, up to a day.
  3. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  4. Using a serrated bread knife in a gentle sawing motion, cut each bread slice into a 4×2-inch rectangle. Cut rectangles in half, creating 2 (2-inch) squares. Cut each square in half diagonally, creating 2 triangles. Place bread triangles on prepared baking sheet. Brush with melted butter.
  5. Bake until bread is crisp, 7 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
  6. In a small bowl, stir together cream cheese, dill, and chives until well combined. Spoon mixture into a piping bag fitted with a ¼-inch-round piping tip (Ateco #802). Pipe approximately ½ teaspoon cream cheese mixture onto each toast. Top with 1 trout piece and 1 onion slice. (Reserve remaining onion for another use.)
  7. Garnish with dill fronds, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tip: Bread triangles can be prepared several hours in advance, cooled, and stored at room temperature in an airtight container until needed.