A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 4 servings. 3 cups fresh baby spinach 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra Extra-virgin olive oil 4 rainbow trout, boned and headed Freshly ground black pepper

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 4 servings. 3 cups fresh baby spinach 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra Extra-virgin olive oil 4 rainbow trout, boned and headed Freshly ground black pepper

Stuffed Mountain Trout

Yield: 4 servings.

3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt, plus extra
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 rainbow trout, boned and headed
Freshly ground black pepper
8 fresh tarragon sprigs
4 dill sprigs
2 lemons, sliced
Chopped fresh tarragon, dill, or parsley (for garnish)
Lemon wedges (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 450°. In a mixing bowl, combine spinach, panko, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.

Cut four sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil into squares that are 3 inches longer than the fish. Coat one side of the foil with olive oil. Season both sides of trout with salt and pepper, and lay the fish out flat, skin side down, in the center of each square. Fill each trout with spinach mixture. Place two tarragon sprigs, a sprig of dill, and two lemon slices in the middle of each trout. Fold the two sides together. Drizzle ½ teaspoon olive oil over each fish.

Loosely fold the foil around each trout. Roll the extra foil down and crimp the ends tightly to make a packet. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the meat pulls apart easily when tested with a fork.

Gently remove the fish from each packet and place on a serving platter. Pour the juices over the fish. Sprinkle with fresh tarragon, dill, or parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.

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This story was published on May 14, 2019

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells is a personal chef with more than 20 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry and a degree in Nutrition Management from UNCG.