Salt-Crusted Trout

“Oh! It’s so beautiful! I love you trout!” – Francis Mallmann Francis invented the infiernillo or “little hell” oven about 20 years ago to cook fish outside. Today, he proclaims his love for Patagonian trout and its magical taste as he fires up his small inferno to teach you how to make freshly-caught salt-crusted trout. “Once we fish something or kill an animal to eat it, we must respect who he is. And try to get the best out of him,” Mallmann says. That’s why he doesn’t add anything else to this recipe other than olive oil and salt. “Even adding lemon would be sacrilege,” he proclaims.   If you don’t have access to an outdoor space to build the two-tiered fire oven, Francis teaches you how to make this fish encased in salt inside your kitchen, too. And just remember: “There’s nothing sadder than an overcooked fish. It makes me cry.” So, don’t overcook your fish and make Francis Mallmann shed tears of sadness.