Almond-Crusted Trout with White Grits and Swiss Chard

A sophisticated dish featuring crispy almond-crusted trout fillets served over creamy white grits and wilted Swiss chard. This elegant meal combines the nutty crunch of almonds with flaky fish and hearty Southern-style grits.

4 servings
50 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white grits (not instant)
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • 1 cup whole skin-on almonds
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 6-ounce fillets trout fillets
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 bunch Swiss chard
  • 1 small shallot
  • 1 to serve lemon wedges

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Bring grits and 4 cups water to a boil in a medium pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer, whisking occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and grits are tender and creamy, 20-25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

    25 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, pulse almonds in a food processor until texture of coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer to a shallow baking dish; season with salt and pepper.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Place egg in another shallow baking dish. Season trout with salt and pepper. Working one at a time, dip skin side of fillets into egg, then in almonds, pressing to adhere. Transfer to a plate as you go.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Heat oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh until very hot but not smoking. Cook 2 fillets, almond side down, pressing with a spatula occasionally to ensure contact with skillet, until almonds are well toasted and fish is nearly cooked through, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook until opaque throughout, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining fillets.

    8 min

  5. 5.

    Wipe out skillet. Add chard and shallot and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing, until chard is wilted, about 2 minutes. Serve chard and trout over grits with lemon wedges.

    2 min