Brining is essential for trapping moisture in meat and driving in the flavor. A simple brine solution is a high-concentration salt solution. However, other ingredients such as seasoning, spices, sauce and sugar can be added to a brine solution. For trout, one brining solution is the one prepared with apple juice. This gives the trout fillet a sweet flavor when it is smoked. The length of brining can vary, but brining for at least six hours or overnight is recommended. The apple juice brine solution can be prepared well ahead to develop its flavor.
Step 1
Mix the brown sugar, salt and apple juice in a saucepan.
Step 2
Heat the mixture over medium heat, and bring it to boil.
Step 3
Add the cinnamon, fennel seeds, allspice, peppercorns, bay leaves, pepper flakes, and thyme. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the apple juice brine cool.
Step 4
Keep in a refrigerator if you are not brining the trout fillets immediately.
Things You'll Need
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup salt
- 4 cups apple juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp. fennel seeds
- 1 tsp. whole allspice
- 1 tsp. black peppercorns
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
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