Trout Alla Savoia
A hearty Italian-inspired dish combining tender trout with a flavorful bean and sausage stew, perfect for comfort food lovers seeking rich, savory flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
- 4 cleaned whole trout (250 to 300 grams each) ⓘ
- salt and pepper ⓘ
- flour ⓘ
- 3 oz. butter ⓘ
- 5 tsp. oil ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced thin ⓘ
- 1 tsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. spring onion, sliced thin ⓘ
- 1/4 cup fresh white breadcrumbs ⓘ
- 1 lb. dried pinto beans ⓘ
- 1 ham bone with meat still on it ⓘ
- 2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 tsp. chopped garlic ⓘ
- 1 tsp. celery salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- Tabasco, Louisiana red hot sauce and cayenne pepper to taste ⓘ
- 2 quart water
- 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced in 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large pan, cover dried pinto beans with water and soak overnight.
- Drain the soaked beans and cover them with approximately 2 quarts of fresh water.
- Add ham bone, chopped onion, chopped garlic, celery salt, seasoned salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, Tabasco, and Louisiana red hot sauce to the water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for several hours until beans are tender and liquid is thickened.
- Remove the ham bone from the stew.
- Add sliced smoked sausage and continue to simmer for an additional hour.
- Adjust seasonings and water as necessary.
- Serve the bean and sausage stew over hot cooked rice, accompanied by the prepared trout if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade vegetable or chicken stock instead of water when cooking the beans. You can substitute the smoked sausage with any other sausage of your choice, or even use diced ham from the bone for added texture. When handling the trout, ensure it's patted dry before cooking to achieve a crispy skin. Pair this dish with a light salad for a fresh contrast.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the hearty bean and sausage stew over a bed of hot cooked rice for a comforting meal. The trout can be served alongside, garnished with lemon wedges and fresh herbs. This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or a side of crusty bread to soak up the flavors. For an Italian twist, consider serving it with a side of Aunt Nona'S Spaghetti Sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if the stew has thickened too much. The trout can be reheated in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to maintain its texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Trout Alla Savoia contains roughly 1893 calories, with 24g protein, 132g carbohydrates, and 146g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (60% of the Daily Value), protein (48% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (47% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1806mg per serving (79% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned pinto beans to save time. If using canned beans, simply rinse and drain them, then add them to the stew after the ham bone has been removed, cooking just long enough to heat through. This will significantly reduce the cooking time.
What can I substitute for the ham bone?
If you don't have a ham bone, you can use smoked turkey or a smoked sausage to impart similar flavors. Alternatively, for a vegetarian version, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the bean mixture to mimic the smoky flavor.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the heat, you can add more cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce according to your taste. Consider including sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Adjust gradually to avoid overpowering the other flavors in the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).