The 1901 Cookbook Archive
No. 4098 — Home-Smoking Fish, Another Method
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 4098 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
Spread a layer of straw that is not completely dry on an iron baking sheet, tray or frying pan.
Place cleaned, salted and wiped fish on top, prepared as in the preceding method. Set over moderate heat.
The hot metal makes the straw smoulder; the author says its resinous smoke simultaneously smokes and cooks the fish.
Larger fish require a deeper layer of straw so they smoke thoroughly without losing fat from direct contact with the hot tray.
Historical editorial note: Heating straw directly on a hot surface presents fire, smoke-contamination and uncontrolled cooking-temperature risks. This is historical description, not safe modern fish smoking guidance.
Original source: Read Russian recipe No. 4098. Historical quantities and terminology are retained. See the measurements guide. Period preparation and storage methods are not modern safety guidance.