Sevan trout
Ishkhan: Lake Sevan trout baked with herbs, tarragon and lemon
Ishkhan, 'the prince', is the name Armenians give to the trout of Lake Sevan, the vast blue lake high in the mountains north-east of Yerevan, and lakeside restaurants on the Sevan peninsula serve it grilled whole or stuffed with herbs and baked. The native ishkhan is now rare and protected, so the fish served today is farmed trout, cooked the same way: stuffed with tarragon, dill, coriander and garlic, roasted until the skin crisps, with lavash and lemon. A common mistake is wrapping the fish tightly in foil, which steams it soft; leave it uncovered for a crisp skin. Chef's tip: brush the fish with a little tkemali or pomegranate molasses in the last five minutes for a sweet-sour glaze. The fish is done when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily at the backbone.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the trout
- 2 whole troutabout 450 g each, gutted and scaled
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 lemonhalf sliced, half in wedges
For the stuffing
- ½ oz fresh tarragon
- ½ oz fresh dill
- ½ oz fresh coriander
- 3 cloves garlicsliced
- 1 red onionthinly sliced
To finish
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 425°F (fan 400°F). Line a tray with baking paper.
Step 2: Pat 2 whole trout dry, slash each side three times and season inside and out with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper.
Step 3: Fill each cavity with ½ oz fresh tarragon, ½ oz fresh dill, ½ oz fresh coriander, 3 cloves garlic, 1 red onion and the 1 lemon slices. Rub the skin with 3 tbsp sunflower oil.
Step 4: Roast uncovered for 15 minutes. Common mistake: covering it; the skin goes soft.
15 minStep 5: Brush with 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses and roast 5–8 minutes more, until the skin is crisp and the flesh is opaque and flakes at the backbone.
8 minStep 6: Serve with the lemon wedges and lavash.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 36 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fat
- 19 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sevan trout take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of lemon?
- Lime, or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice per lemon (no zest from bottled juice).
- What can I use instead of fresh coriander?
- Flat-leaf parsley with a little mint (for people who dislike coriander too).
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