Smoked Pompano Fish Spread Recipe

James Beard-nominated chef and Exmark ambassador David Bancroft is back with another hearty recipe for backyard events. This time, he’s looking to the sea for his ingredients. Bancroft has created a smoked fish spread recipe using the mild Florida pompano fish. He’s combined it with some delicious, flavorful spices. Your next backyard event is going to be even better when you add this dish to it.

All You Need to Know About Pompano

If you’ve spent a lot of time on the water, you’ve already heard of the pompano, a part of the jack family,. If you’re a regular salt water angler, you’ve likely filled the boat with them a time or two. It’s a common fish in the Gulf of Mexico, though it can range in location from Massachusetts to Brazil.

As with many fish, pompano is high in Omega-3 as well as other essential micronutrients for heart-healthy meals. The pompano is often called the most eatable fish in the world for a variety of reasons. The first is because it’s a generally mild-flavored fish that blends well in recipes without allowing spices and flavors to overpower the sea salt flavor at its core. It’s a great fish for using in recipes like this smoked fish spread because it offers that meaty flavor without being overwhelming.

Another reason the pompano is so popular is that you can fish for them year-round. Not something that can be said of quite a few of the fish the world enjoys. Because they’re readily available, they’re much easier to rely on in restaurants. Fully grown, they range from two to five pounds, so they’re not too challenging to reel in. You don’t have to be a hammer to hook these fish, and they’re plentiful off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico, making them an easily accessible fish.

If you’re interested in trying this delicious fish but you’re not close to the ocean and you’re not a saltwater angler, you can check with your local butcher (sometimes even your local grocery store) or order online. And if you’re unsure what you want to do with that tasty pompano, try cooking it up in Bancroft’s latest recipe for Exmark’s Backyard Life below.

Smoked Pompano Spread Recipe

Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Total time

35

minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless/skinless fillets

• 1/2 tbsp salt

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper

• 1/2 tsp sugar

• 4 oz soft cream cheese

• 1/2 cup dukes mayo (1/4c more if you prefer creamier)

• a few dashes Tabasco

• minced chives (optional)

Directions

• Smoke the pompano fillets with your preferred wood flavor at 200°f until just cooked.
• Remove from smoker and allow to cool for 5 min.
• Add all ingredients including the smoked fish to a mixing bowl.
• Either mash the fish with a fork into the mayo mix or use a hand mixer on the lowest speed.
• If you prefer larger chunks, be sure not to over-mix during this step. If you like smoother dip, mix the dip to your liking.
• Adjust salt and spice at the end to your preference.

Notes

• Bancroft likes to serve this dip with ‘Wickles Pickles’ and Saltines or Ritz crackers.

More Like This:

• Grilled Pompano and Pickled Peppers Recipe
• Grilled Redfish on the Half Shell
• David Bancroft’s Jalapeño Popper Grilled Oyster Recipe