Michael Gordon
I don't think I have ever recalled anyone saying they didn't like bacon. Even though bacon has been around a long time, I think it is actually gaining in popularity. I have heard of and even tried bacon and maple donuts! Bacon and chocolate sundaes and even bacon flavored coffee. So, why not combine a favorite fish with a favorite meat? Bacon-wrapped walleye is my new favorite go-to dinner when I want to shake up the dinner party a bit. I'm fortunate to be able to catch my own walleye each year, but walleye is available at the marketplace quite regularly. Sometimes it is a little pricey but if you love the sweet taste of fresh walleye, it is well worth it. Combining the two favorites makes for a delicious treat. The smoky sweetness of good bacon and the delicate fresh-tasting walleye go together like pie and ice cream.
This walleye recipe can either be prepared in the oven or even grilled outside. I have done both and they are equally delicious, but I prefer to roast the walleye in the oven. I use a wooden skewer to thread the filet on, then wrap the whole thing in bacon.
Cooking Tip: Slightly boil the bacon first; this renders some of the fat out and precooks it allowing the bacon to get crispy before the fish overcooks.
If you want to grill the skewer just be sure to not overcook and burn the bacon. Smoking them also works, but cooking them in the oven and then lightly brushing them with a favorite BBQ sauce or even an apricot glaze or preserve is well worth it. This is a very simple and quick recipe that will be sure to wow them at the next dinner. Here is how to do cook one of the best walleye recipes I know of.
What You’ll Need:
- 8 Bamboo Skewers
- 3 Pounds of Walleye Fillets
- 8 Strips of Bacon
- 8 Fresh Sage Leaves
Cooking Insructions:
- Soak 8 bamboo skewers in water for 15 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
- Cut three pounds of cleaned walleye filets into 6 oz. strips
- Proceed by skewering the filets onto the skewers length-wise
- Lay one sage leaf on each meat skewer
- Wrap the sage leaf securely with one bacon strip per skewer
- Place the wrapped filets in a glass baking dish (I like to spray the dish with non-stick spray to keep the bacon from sticking)
- Bake the walleye and bacon for about 25 minutes
- When the bacon is crispy the fish will be done
As I mentioned, for extra flavor brush on some of your favorite BBQ sauce or glaze 3 minutes before removing from the oven.
Suggested sides that go very well with bacon-wrapped walleye would be a pan full of crispy fried potatoes and some grilled asparagus would be awesome.
