escabeche of trout
Escavèche is a local dish from the region of Chimay and
Virelles. It is of Spanish origin and dates back to the 16th
century, when the Habsburgs occupied our country.
Today escavèche is the signature dish of the well-known
restaurant "Edgard et Madeleine".
But you can also buy this product from artisan producers
in the region.
gherkins
sea eel or trout
plain flour
butter
dry white wine
vinegar
marjoram or oregano
bay leaf
clove
Clean and cut the fish into pieces of five centimeters.
Sprinkle with flour and fry until golden brown in a pan with
bubbly butter. Season with pepper and salt. Let the fish drain
and cool down.
Cut onions into rings and stir them in some butter until they
shine, but not brown.
Make a gastrique with white wine vinegar, white wine,
tarragon, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, marjoram, clove, pepper
and salt. Allow to cook for a while and then strain the
preparation.
Make a solid roux (butter and plain flour) and dilute it with
the gastrique to sauce thickness. Let it boil for a moment.
Mix with the onions and add leaves soaked gelatine, in a
ratio of 1 leaf per deciliter used moisture (from the
gastrique).
Fill a pot in pottery (type Römertopf), with the fried fish and
the sauce. You can finish with slices lemon, gherkins, onion
and a leaf of laurel.
Cover airtight and put the jar in the refrigerator for at least 2
days for use. Serve cold with fries, mayonnaise and lettuce.