Recipe - Creamy Tropical Topping

2 Trouts (6 ounce ea. cleaned) *
1 Whole egg
1 Egg white
One fourth pt Olive or sunflower oil
5 tablespoon Creamy yoghurt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 One fourth teaspoon Gelatine powder (or more)
Fresh parsley & tarragon
One half Cucumber
Caster sugar
Tarragon vinegar

*Note: In lieu of fresh trout, One half pound cooked and flaked fish may be used.
Serves 6 as an appetizer, or 3 as a light lunch.

If using fresh trout, poach them in the oven at 350 F (180 C) gas mark 4
for 30 minutes, then cool, skin, bone and flake there should be about 8
ounces of cooked flesh.

Separate the egg and use the yolk to make mayonnaise: season it with salt
and pepper, gradually beat in the oil, then 1 teaspoon or so of vinegar to
thin and flavour the sauce.

Put the prepared fish into a food processor. Add the mustard, yoghurt and
1 heaped teaspoon each fresh chopped tarragon and parsley, and whizz to a
perfectly smooth puree. Soak the gelatine (more may be necessary in hot
weather) in 3 tablespoons cold water, let it soften and swell, then
dissolve over low heat. Cool for a minute or two before adding the liquid
gelatine to the fish puree: pour it on in a thin stream while the machine
is running. Carefully and gradually beat the fish puree into the
mayonnaise. Quickly whisk the egg whites to snowy peaks and fold them into
the fish puree. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Divide the mixture between
6 ramekins or 3 small souffle dishes. Cover and chill for 23 hours until
set to a soft cream.

Seed the cucumber but do not peel. Chop it finely, sprinkle it with 1/4
teaspoon each salt and caster sugar and One half teaspoon tarragon vinegar, and
set aside for a couple of hours to draw out some of the cucumber juices.
Drain and pat dry. Top each mousse immediately before serving with a small
spoonful of the cucumber a good crunchy contrast to the soft textured
mousse and garnish with a tarragon leaf. Oatcakes that have been gently
warmed in the oven go well with this dish.

Source: Philippa Davenport in "Country Living" (British), June 1987. Typed
for you by Karen Mintzias

From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini