Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Have a favorite trail recipe or technique you'd like to share? Please do! We also like reviews of various trail food products out there. The Backcountry Food Topix forum is the place to discuss all things related to food and nourishment while in the Sierra wilderness (as well as favorite trail head eateries).
User avatar
Jimr
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 2175
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:14 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Torrance

Re: Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Post by Jimr »

No fuel, no clean-up
Fishsticks.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
User avatar
Wandering Daisy
Topix Docent
Posts: 6640
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:19 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Fair Oaks CA (Sacramento area)
Contact:

Re: Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Post by Wandering Daisy »

I just returned from a trip where I caught a huge fish (20-in). Fire not an option because I was above timber. I cut the fish smaller pieces, stuffed them in my pot, added about 2 tbs oil, a dash of water (the fish themselves have lots of water), and simmered (very low heat) for 15 minutes (I too have a snowpeak giga). You have to shake the pot often so the fish do not stick to the bottom. I spiced it up with burbon bbq spice. THEN, I wrapped the pot in a cozy and let it sit for 10 minutes. I made my own cozy from an old foam sleeping pad. This method is similar to "braising". Admitted- not as good as fried on a fire, but better than boiled.

I had fish every night on this 7-day trip and used one medium canister of fuel for seven days. I use the cozy for all meals - cook for about half the time and put it in the cozy for the other half.

Nothing to do with fish, but I always solar pre-heat my water. Getting water and putting it in the sun is the FIRST thing I do when I get to camp.
I also have a home-made wind screen on my stove - really saves fuel.
User avatar
Oubliet
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 69
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:10 am
Experience: N/A

Re: Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Post by Oubliet »

I generally prefer filleting, then poaching the fish in a frypan with a touch of olive oil and salt for flavor. Sometimes, I'll add a mustard packet or dried dill.

Filleting takes time, but cleanup is a lot easier after cooking.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
User avatar
markskor
Founding Member - RIP
Posts: 2442
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 5:41 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Crowley Lake and Tuolumne Meadows

Re: Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Post by markskor »

Tried a few methods of trout cooking...Luckily have been able to hike with/ cook for Mike...a picky Old Fart - but, we may have caught more than our fair share over the years.
- Boiling or poaching - (yuck).
- Baking - did it once - (meh, oven too heavy),
- Carrying a small aluminum grill to be suspended over the fire - (too easily burned if not constantly attended or, when turning, the fish chunks fell right through...still, this way worked OK till I learned better).
- The single stick - (worked in a pinch but), inconsistent cooking; lot of burned or raw fish areas.
- Frying in oil; best if filleted - (Tasty, uses lots of oil, clean-up and prep, a real pain).

- Foil wrap method mostly now preferred. Uses but a little oil, Easy to add spices (IE - a little salami and hot pepper flakes inside?), Easy prep, easy clean, and can be done without worrying during that un-attentive twilight cocktail hour.
Just drop packets into the red-hot coals (if low enough), or pressed into a hot fry pan using any convenient granite. BTW, Why do you need to carry a fry pan lid?
Mountainman who swims with trout
Cross Country
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1328
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:16 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Post by Cross Country »

A few times I boiled my fish and then used the fish filet and water to rehydrate a pre packaged meal. Almost always I use a small grill over an open fire and BBQed them for filet in the meal. I usually had some fish filet that didn't make it passed my mouth in the middle of cooking. I peele off the skin and ate it with one hand on the head and the other on the tail. This cooking method uses VERY LITTLE wood to cook them. I don't always drive my car under the speed limit either. Do you?
User avatar
steiny98
Topix Regular
Posts: 108
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 9:33 am
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker

Re: Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Post by steiny98 »

Giving this thread another bump.

Has anyone tried cutting the trout in chunks, putting it in tin foil and then on a frying pan? Trying to avoid a mess/having my frying pan constantly smell like fish.

Also, any light frying pan recommendations?
User avatar
rlown
Topix Docent
Posts: 8225
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:00 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Wilton, CA

Re: Fuel efficient way to cook trout?

Post by rlown »

Markskor posted a nice article on this at: http://www.highsierratopix.com/culinary ... g-methods/
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests