Smoked Fish Pâté
Smoked fish pâté is Canadian at heart — simple, rustic, and refined all at once. I usually make it with smoked trout, a nod to Canada’s lakes and rivers. Creamy, tangy, and bright with dill, lemon, and a touch of chilli, it blends into a smooth spread with cream cheese — elegant on sourdough or a warm baguette, yet effortless to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 6–8
Ingredients
200 g smoked snoek or trout, flaked
150 g (¾ cup) cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp sour cream (optional, for extra tang)
1 small red onion, very finely chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Small bunch fresh dill, chopped (about 3 tbsp)
½ fresh red chili, finely chopped (add more if you like it spicy)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Method
Prepare the base: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream (if using) until smooth.
Add the flavours: Stir in red onion, lemon zest and juice, dill, chili, and plenty of black pepper.
Fold in the fish: Gently fold in smoked snoek or trout flakes, keeping some chunks for texture. Adjust seasoning with salt and extra lemon if needed.
Chill & serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavours meld. Serve chilled with sourdough or a warm baguette. Garnish with extra dill, lemon wedges, or a drizzle of olive oil.
Variations
Classic Trout – use Canadian smoked trout or salmon for a traditional version.
Herb Twist – add parsley, chives, or tarragon alongside dill for a fresh lift.
Luxury Touch – top with salmon roe or serve as canapés on cucumber slices.
For centuries, the Detroit River has been a place where people gathered to fish, trade, and travel. Standing on the Windsor riverfront, you’re looking north across the water into Detroit. In the past, the river carried voyageurs in canoes and rumrunners during Prohibition. Today, it’s a symbol of friendship and shared identity, where families still cast lines from the banks, hoping to catch walleye, perch, or bass. Fishing here connects to generations who have relied on the river’s bounty, bridging two countries with one simple act.
Fishing in Windsor, Ontario - Detroit River
Windsor, Ontario - Fishing in the Detroit River