Step Aside, Cheese Plate—This Little Fish Antipasto Board Is the New It Appetizer

Serve this fish-forward antipasto board instead of charcuterie for an unexpected appetizer.

 Prep Time: 25 mins Total Time: 25 mins Servings: 8 servings

There is no charcuterie or cheese to see here. This “before the meal” board boasts an easy-to-make smoked trout spread, anchovies and butter, and crudité for a pop of freshness and crunch. The simple smoked trout spread is just a matter of stirring together the smoked trout with cream cheese, shallots, capers, lemon, and parsley.

It’s thicker than standard dip and goes wonderfully with onion crackers. Serve it with anchovies and butter, a classic combination. Smear the butter on baguette slices and lay an anchovy or two on top. Assemble them ahead of time or let guests make their own. This is a perfect starter if you’re hosting a Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve.

Get a head start on hosting by making the smoked trout spread up to three days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Ingredients

Smoked Trout Spread

• 7 oz. smoked trout (drained if in oil and skin removed if skin-on), flaked (about 1 cup packed)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 Tbsp finely chopped shallot
• 1 Tbsp nonpareil capers, chopped
• 4 tsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more if desired
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for topping

Anchovy & Butter Breads

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 sliced baguette, sliced
• 1 2-oz jar anchovy fillets, drained
• Crackers, raw vegetables (such as cucumber, fennel, carrots, and celery), and olives (such as Castelvetrano), for serving

Directions

1. Make the smoked trout spread: Stir together trout, cream cheese, shallot, capers, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in parsley. Taste and add more salt if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with parsley.

2. Assemble anchovy and butter breads: Spread a thick layer of butter on 1 baguette slice. Top with an anchovy. Assemble remaining breads or serve ingredients—along with Smoked Trout Spread, crackers, vegetables, and olives—on a board.