Trout Almondine

Trout is an incredibly tasty fish on its own ... light, yet meaty in texture. Add almonds, butter and lemon and you have an incredible special treat.

This is a very quick dish to make and very satisfying. Serve it along with some rice and French style green beans for a lovely weekday or special occasion meal.

Trout Almondine
(Makes 4 servings.)

• 4 trout fillets, about 1 1/2 pounds total
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

Trout Almondine

Make sure trout filets are completely deboned. Place them on a plate and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Heat a large fry pan over medium-low heat. Add the almonds and toast, stirring frequently, until they turn light tan and smell nutty, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Return the pan to medium-low heat. Spread the flour on a large plate and dip the fillets in the flour, coating both sides well and shaking off any excess. Add the olive oil to the pan and increase the heat to medium. Add the trout fillets, skin side up, and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Turn the fillets over and cook until they flake easily near the tail ends, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the fillets, skin side down, to individual plates and keep warm.

Wipe any oil from the pan with a paper towel. Return the pan to medium heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the lemon juice and parsley. Stir in the almonds and season the sauce with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over the fillets and serve immediately.