SEAFOOD – THE PROTEIN OF LENT

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No other time of the year is seafood consumption higher than during Lent. As the Lenten season fast approaches, Catholics and other Christian faiths begin preparations for the 40-day period of fasting, prayer and repentance. As some consumers plan their meatless, seafood-rich meals accordingly at home during this period,they’re also seeking protein alternatives while away from home, whether out dining at their favorite establishment or at the cafeteria during their workday. 


Beginning February 18 and ending before Easter Sunday which falls on April 5, Chefs have an ample opportunity to create delicious, signature dishes and promote their Lenten specials in order to benefit from a boost in seafood sales. With its mild flavor and tender texture, Rainbow Trout is a great choice for crafting exceptional Lenten entrees. And, Clear Springs® Clear∙Cuts® rainbow trout fillets provide that perfect base for observing Lent. They’re the only 100% boneless rainbow trout on the market and are available in natural fillet and butterfly style for application flexibility and ultimate convenience.

ENDLESS WAYS TO INDULGE (without feeling guilty)
From hot smoking to char-grilling and dusted to crusted, rainbow trout lends itself to a variety of preparation methods, and it accents the flavors of marinades, sauces and seasonings – making it an extremely versatile protein. By blending textures and flavors – such as crunchy and creamy, sweet and spicy, citrus and Cajun– chefs can create a memorable experience for their guests.

To help inspire your creativity, here are some festive menu ideas: Pouched Rainbow Trout in tin foil with fresh vegetables, Rainbow Trout Almondine or Rainbow Trout with Lemongrass and Apple Pearls. Try seasoning trout with lime, chives, olive oil and salt and pepper, baking, and then serving atop crusty bread. Or, smoke Rainbow Trout and serve as a salad with an avocado dressing.


Any way you serve it this Lenten season, trust Clear Springs’ quality to create signature entrees you can be proud to plate for your guests. Visit clearsprings.com for recipes and more. 
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RAINBOW TROUT, FANTASTIQUE

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The French are passionate about their food, and trout has always played a prominent role in their cuisine. Today, French-inspired bistros, cafés and brasseries have experienced a resurgence across the US, and many are featuring rainbow trout on the menu. Its delicate flavor and tender texture lends itself perfectly to classic herbs and seasonings, sauces and French-inspired sides.


And when establishments look for freshness and value, they look to Clear Spring Foods,which provides a number of cuts and sizes including Clear∙Cuts─ the only 100-percent guaranteed boneless rainbow trout fillets available in the market today.


Menu Watch
Anis Bistro, located in Atlanta, offers “a taste of Provence in the heart of Buckhead.” This charming casual bistro’s vision is to transport its patrons to the South of France. Its traditional French fare strives to include the most authentic ingredients – from wines and cheeses to seafood specialties such as trout. In fact, a staple menu item, Truite Meunière, features pan-roasted trout and wilted greens with marinated artichokes, capers and lemon browned butter.And to the west, the Bistro Vendôme in Denver pan-sears its Idaho rainbow trout with caramelized fennel, haricot vert and grape Sauce Vierge for an impressive finish, calling this menu creation Truite avec Raisins. For more traditional presentations where the delicate, mild flavor of the trout emanates through, look to the Harbor House, lakeside in Milwaukee, or Brasserieby niche, not far south in St. Louis. Both prepare their rainbow trout simply, yet wonderfully with almonds and tender green beans.


VERSATILE PREPARATION
Clear Springs Rainbow Trout is the perfect foundation for creating signature appetizers and entrées.
Hot Smoking rainbow trout lightly over birch wood is a flavorful technique. Enhance smoked trout with juniper berries and serve with a creamed horseradish sauce and cranberries for a European flair. Hot smoking both “smokes and cooks the trout at the same time.” This process requires much less time and effort than cold smoking.
wine sauce provides great aromas and flavors for easy-to-prepare entrées. Cooking trout directly in a wine sauce is effortless, and any semi-dry white wine is a good choice, whether accompanying the dish or during preparation.
MARINATE trout in a combination of herbs and nut-infused oil vinaigrettes to put your own signature touch on your menu and leave lasting impressions on every guest.
From smoked to sautéed, dusted to crusted, rainbow trout offers the ultimate in menu versatility and a great choice in addition to,or as a substitute for, other seafood items.

Be sure to visit clearsprings.com for additional menu ideas!
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TOTAL TROUT APPEAL

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From family to fine dining, char-grilled to sautéed, dusted to crusted, preparing rainbow trout is easier than ever, and it’s showing up on more and more menus today. With its delicate, mild taste, rainbow trout accents the flavors of marinades and seasonings from citrus to bold and spicy profiles – making it an extremely versatile protein.

Clear Spring Foods brings delicious versatility to your menu with Clear Springs® Clear∙Cuts® rainbow trout fillets – available in natural fillet and butterfly style. As the only 100% guaranteed boneless rainbow trout available, Clear∙Cuts® are a truly exceptional menu item for patrons and provide ultimate convenience for you.


Menu Watch
At Apache Trout Grill in Traverse City, MI their focus is on fresh and fine ingredients. They pan fry rainbow trout fillets with peppers, onions and feta with a white wine sauce.  Enjoy it next to fresh-baked bread, salad, soup or a variety of flatbreads. At Trout Town Tavern & Eatery in downtown Kalkaska, MI, “where every meal is a great catch,” they serve up a Smoked Trout & Cheese Plank appetizer that includes smoked trout pâté, rainbow trout sausage and aged cheeses served with sweet cherry compote, candied pecans and homemade crostini. As an entrée, they lightly season and sauté rainbow trout fillets, then top with lemon chive butter and serve with a wild mushroom risotto and vegetable of choice. Finally, you’ll love the fine dining at The Hungry Trout, set in the Flume Falls section of Wilmington, NY. With fresh trout as their specialty, The Hungry Trout elegantly serves its rainbow trout several ways, from grilled with a spinach and artichoke Parmesan sauce, to herb encrusted and pan fried, to pan seared with Grand Marnier butter sauce. It’s also featured as an accompaniment in a sampler entrée application.


Covering The Menu
Clear Springs Rainbow Trout is the perfect foundation for creating signature appetizers and entrées.
Smoked Appetizers: Brine fillets in a water and salt mixture overnight; dry and smoke for a few hours. Then, create a colorful Bruschetta on a baguette and add a flavorful garnish. Or, try a creamy smoked trout dip or mousse and serve with toasted ciabatta bread.
Savory Sandwiches: Most breads will suffice, such as Focaccia, Sourdough or an Artisan French Bread. Or, partner with a local supplier to keep local business booming and have fresh bread delivered daily to your doorstep. Grill or sauté fillets and pick your toppings and sauces such as cilantro slaw, chipotle mayo or horseradish tartar. The possibilities are deliciously endless.
Impressive Entrees: Try a Spanish spice rub on grilled Clear Springs Rainbow Trout, accompanied with grilled Swiss chard and herbed whole grain rice. Or stuff Clear Springs butterfly-style rainbow trout with spinach and tarragon and serve alongside roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus. Rainbow trout is perfect for crusting applications, too. Innovate your menu with spicy panko-and-horseradish crusted fillets. Or use popular items such as almonds, sunflower seeds or pretzels for added texture and appetite appeal. Be sure to visit clearsprings.com for additional menu ideas!
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A Clear Choice

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As the nation’s leading provider of rainbow trout, Clears Springs Foods delivers the only 100% guaranteed boneless Clear∙Cuts® natural and butterfly fillets in the marketplace. With mild, delicate flavor and exceptional versatility, Clear∙Cuts® fillets allow Chefs to create their own signature, on-trend menu items with ease. Rainbow trout pairs well with a variety of seasonings, garnishes and sauces. It can be prepared in a number of ways whether grilled, blackened, baked, sautéed, cold smoked, pan fried or poached.


Along with our natural and butterfly options, we offer a delicious line of pre-coated and pre-crusted Clear∙Cuts® fillets. Choose from Pecan Crusted and Parmesan Crusted fillets as well as our three latest additions: Sun-Dried Tomato & Roasted Garlic, Crunchy Potato Crusted and Tortilla Crusted. All feature our 100% boneless guaranteed and come ready to prepare for ultimate convenience.  Your patrons will love its healthful benefits. Rainbow Trout provides an excellent source of protein, has heart-healthy Omega-3s, and contains zero Trans Fat.


Whether you are a gastro pub, casual dining restaurant, caterer, or anything in between, be sure to take a look at the flavorful dimension rainbow trout can provide to your menu.

Continued Growth
Consumers and chefs are taking notice of rainbow trout as it continues to grow in popularity and is becoming a great addition on menus across the U.S.  It’s been farmed raised in the U.S. for over a century and is perpetually on the “Best Choice” list of the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch list. 

In addition, rainbow trout meets 6 of the 10 trends for 2014, according to The National Restaurant Association. From environmental sustainability, to healthful meals and local sourcing, rainbow trout is on trend and in-demand.


Your local seafood purveyor or full line distributor can provide you with Clear Springs Rainbow Trout fillets which are available in all 50 states.

Learn more and find delicious menu ideas at clearsprings.com.
  
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