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Arctic Char
Making the most of a superb fish
This morning we took delivery of six beautiful Arctic Char, they looked stunning and it was a pleasure to fillet them. I’ve not cooked char since my days fishing for them as a young chef in the Lake District. I always returned mine back to the water after catching them but would happily cook any that the chef ordered from the suppliers.
Lake Winderemere in Cumbria, North-West England used to be full of char, stocks have sadly dwindled over time but they are still there to be found. Aside from the landlocked variety (char) the sea-run Atlantic char can be found from Norway to Iceland and even Newfoundland. The flesh can be pink or white and should be treated as for trout/salmon trout.
As I write this I haven’t yet decided how I am going to cook them, whatever style I choose it will certainly be quite simple. The flesh is quite delicate and I want to preserve its natural qualities, cooking it just before medium will help retain its moisture, don’t be afraid to slightly undercook salmon or trout, you will be surprised how much tastier it is for retaining its juices.
I may grill it with butter and fresh herbs and dress it with a light vinaigrette or cook it in a vac pack bag sealed with a little olive oil, butter, lemon and bay. The accompanying vegetables should be simple; some wilted lettuce or spinach, some crisp green beans or a light, warm potato salad flavoured with creme fraiche, chives and mustard. Trout and char also take quite kindly to some light horseradish flavours or some subtle influences from Asia (soy, coriander, ginger etc)
You could of course just serve it with the classic garnish of brown butter, almonds and parsley which has been a staple lunchtime trout dish for years.
Miles,
This vac packing sounds like a good idea especially when you find there’s an excess of char hanging around … you could post them to a select few
Mr Waitrose has kindly agreed to deliver my hampers if I don’t feel like driving … I’ll ask them to pop in to your office en route to collect spare confits etc…
Cid - exhausted after a hard day’s work only to find builders and plumbers knocking seven bells out of my house!
Cid
November 2, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Cid,
You must be working very hard to afford hampers from Waitrose!
Have a glass of wine and forget about the plumbers!
Miles
November 2, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Miles & Cid,
I will happily pass on my address to receive vac pac Char and a Waitrose hamper. I assure you to be a very appreciative recipient.
Cid, it is to be hoped that all this plumbing and building work does not ‘hamper’ your Christmas preparations.
November 4, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Elsie,
I think I’m a frustrated project manager … my current policy is to be assertive while dishing up daily cake and coffee … so far it’s working! Subsequently the thought of food shopping (something I usually adore) has lost its appeal…. enter Mr Waitrose, a scene that should be set to slow motion as I run to meet the van, overjoyed
Cid
p.s. no first-class Char in the mail yet, probably the strike…
November 4, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
Cid,
re mail delivery char-it’s landlocked!!
Miles
November 4, 2007 @ 9:27 pm