Trout

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 20 min

Champagne is the perfect accompaniment for this delicate appetizer.

Martini fans will find that this simple and elegant appetizer goes perfectly with their favorite cocktail.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

'60S THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW At the opening of every episode, we see Andy and Opie walking to the creek, fishing rods slung over their shoulders, accompanied by the catchy whistled theme music. Mayberry, North Carolina, offered a welcome respite from the growing complexity of the rest of the world. This simple and delicious recipe is one way that Aunt Bee might have prepared Andy's freshly caught trout. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 40 min

Market tip: All rainbow trout sold in markets are sustainably farm-raised.

At the fish market, ask them to remove the head, tail and bones from the trout, then to cut each trout into two fillets, leaving the skin intact.

To make this recipe even easier, prepare the toast points two hours ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

Serve with: Steamed carrots and scalloped potatoes. Dessert: A bakery strawberry tart.

Any nut can be substituted for the pine nuts. Toast them for fuller flavor.

For a savory and simple dinner, serve this trout with some roasted potatoes and a green salad tossed with pears and crumbled blue cheese.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Forget gefilte fish and try this instead: a version of a French classic called carpe à la juive. (It calls for salmon trout instead of carp.) The fish (opposite) is chilled overnight, so begin the recipe a day ahead. Pour a Riesling.