Smoked Whitefish Crostini + My Number One Secret Place

I live about 30 miles from the always teaming with tourists Venice Beach California. But it’s not just the tourists that fill up the restaurants; foodies abound in this area of top trendy eateries to fulfill their food bucket lists. So, when my husband and I stumbled upon the tiny Venice Beach Wines about 10 years ago, and was blown away by the Smoked Whitefish, I told no one, not even my closest friends. I had visions of telling 2 friends, and them telling 2 friends, and so on, and so on, and never being able to get a table again! Instead, I have kept my mouth shut and have never been shut-out in 10 years.

Located in a beachy bungalow on Rose Avenue, this friendly neighborhood spot won me over from the moment I walked in the first time. The front porch holds most of the seating which consists of a continuous bench along the perimeter with small rectangular metal tables. Simple, cute, and cozy. In fact, it can be so cozy that once the stranger sitting next to me felt completely comfortable taking the napkin off my lap and using it! At least he didn’t take my Smoked Whitefish!

As the name suggests, they offer an extensive and diverse list of wines, and I’ll say the same thing about their beers. We usually come in the daytime to sample their current selection of cheese and charcuterie, but we find it hard to pass up their Smoked Whitefish. Salty, creamy, smokey, with a hint of horseradish, on a toasty crostini—YUM!

They’re so good I’ve developed my own knock-off Smoked Whitefish recipe. It is so simple and makes a delicious somewhat sophisticated appetizer that will surely impress your guests. You can buy crostini or make make them easily from a baguette since they’re just mini toasts.

Smoked Whitefish Salad Crostini Recipe

Servings: 4

Ingredients
1/2 baguette, or 16 crostini
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon horseradish
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces smoked whitefish
16 slices radish or watermelon radish

Instructions
1. Slice the baguette and spray both sides of the individual slices with olive oil spray.
2. Toast in a toaster oven until golden brown. Crostini can be warm or room temperature for serving.
3. While making the crostini, mix together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, horseradish, salt, and pepper.
4. Taste your mixture to see if it needs adjusting to your tastes.
5. Put aside 1/3 of this mixture to spread on the crostini.
5. Crumble the smoked whitefish into the bowl and mix well with a fork until it is combined well.
6. Spread the mustard-horseradish mixture on the crostini.
7. Add a tablesppon of the smoked whitefish mixture onto the crostini, and arrange on a plate.
8. Top each with a slice of radish or watermelon radish.

Tips
1. Another option for serving is to leave the smoked whitefish salad in a bowl, and place the crostini and bowl on a plate.
2. Both the smoked whitefish salad and the crostini can be prepped ahead, however, I don’t recommend combining the 2 more than a half hour before serving.
3. This recipe can be adjusted to make Smoked Whitefish Dip, See below for recipe.

Smoked Whitefish Dip Recipe

Servings: 8

Ingredients
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup light cream cheese
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon horseradish
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces smoked whitefish separated in half

Instructions
1. In the bowl of a food processor, add the mayonnaise, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, horseradish, salt, and pepper, and process until smooth.
2. Crumble half of the smoked whitefish into the bowl and process until well combined and smooth.
3. Add the remaining smoked whitefish and pulse a few times. Should be slightly chunky.
4. Chill until ready to eat.
5. Serve with crackers, bread, pretzels, or veggie sticks. You’ll want to dip everything in it!

Where to Buy Smoked Whitefish

There is a difference between whitefish and white fish. The first is a type of fish found in the Great Lakes of North America, usually called Lake Whitefish. White fish usually refers a broader category of white fleshed mild fish including whitefish. That being said, for the Smoked Whitefish Salad Crostini and the Smoked Whitefish Dip, either will work well!

You can find smoked whitefish here online.

I also love smoked trout with these recipes! You can find smoked trout here.