Easy Fish Terrine, Changing up the Dinner Routine
It got cosy up here, real fast. Do we have Indian Summers in Door County? I’ve yet to figure that out.
This last week we’ve had muggy days and some serious cool days spliced in too and it’s made me want to dive into some old recipes and spend more time in my second favourite place on earth. (Next to my garden, that place would be my kitchen.)
I busted out my old easy fish terrine recipe. It gives me another chance to investigate the world of local food up here. We live in the land of white fish… so…. when in Rome go fishing. I love it because it’s easy, it makes me feel fancy and my children devour it. That’s no surprise though.
They would commit crimes to eat smoked salmon so when they saw Momma was making a Fish Terrine I had to keep swooshing them out of the kitchen and away from the fridge until it was ready and even then the two-year-old pitched such a fit while I was photographing. Laying on the FLOOR thrashing about over FISH TERRINE! It was an embarrassment to my boss momma skills. Bad enough having to photograph after sunset.
What is Fish Terrine?
I thought you’d never ask. Well, it’s almost like a pâté but not quite. And they’re often made with veggies (Oh, I swoon over a good beet, carrot and turnip terrine) and they’re equally as often made with fish. AND they’re a great way to use leftovers. Leftover fish scraps. Leftover egg whites. That last little bit of fresh spinach that you don’t want to go to waste. They get their name from the dish in which they are prepared, naturally called “a terrine” and you can grab one in my store here. If you’re dying to make this right now and don’t want to wait for your new terrine to arrive… don’t panic. Simply use a loaf pan. I won’t tell the French.
What is the texture of a Fish Terrine?
Oh you’re indulging me now, aren’t you? I suppose I just can’t say “fabulous” now can I? They are light and airy. Almost mousse-like. aérien the French might say. If you’re looking for a lighter supper or luncheon they are perfect. I served a big crusty loaf and I cold Sav Blanc because kids need carbs and mom needs wine. Life is so simple when you break it down like that, you know?
OK… let’s get down to brass tacks. Our should I say chopped white fish.
Easy Fish Terrine
Recipe Type: Terrine loaf
Cuisine: French
Author: Angela J. Reed
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 60 mins
Total time: 1 hour 30 mins
Serves: 10 slices
Light, airy, smokey, moussy… everything you want it to be.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds of skinned, de-boned white fish
15 ounces smoked salmon
2 egg whites, chilled
1/2 teaspoon salt (less if desired)
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach, packed
Instructions
Cut white fish into one inch cubes
Put on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and place in freezer
Lightly grease terrine or loaf pan (5-6 cup size)
Line pan with smoked salmon
Drape over edges, you will fold it over later
Preheat oven to 350 F/177 C
Remove fish from freezer and whiz in food processor until smooth, make take a couple minutes
Add egg whites one at a time
Add spices<img class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-10648″ src=”https://www.anthology.parisiennefarmgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_4453.jpg” alt=”” data-mce-src=”https://www.anthology.parisiennefarmgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DSC_4453.jpg” width=”650″ height=”433″>
Add cream with machine running, scraping down sides if needed
Don’t over mix
Remove fish mixture from food processor to a large bowl
Take 1/3 of the mixture back to the food processor and add spinach
Whiz until blended
Take 1/2 of remaining white fish mixture and spread it over the bottom of the pan over the smoked salmon
Spread all of the spinach mixture on top
Spread remaining white fish mixture over that
Fold edges of smoked salmon over, edges probably won’t meet, no worries
Bake for one hour, checking at 50 minutes
Skewer in center should come out clean
Don’t over bake, salmon will become tough
Serve with freshly squeezed lemon or lemon mayo
Wondering how I got my kids to love foods like Fish Terrine? Check out this old series here.
I hope you enjoy. Now, I’m going to go put the finishing touches on the schoolroom cause Indian Summer or not, real life begins around here in just a couple of days.
