Smoked Trout; Tahini Pasta Salad

We just ate this amazing meal, and it is ranking in the top 5 best meals I've ever created. The fish was lightly smoked, and the Tahini in the pasta had a nice nutty, distinctive flavor that was unique and beautiful. I understand that smoked fish isn't the easiest, cheapest, or even most convenient of dishes, but if you want to make a special occasion even better, try this most delicious menu!

Smoked Trout

2 pink trout filets (about 1 pound total)
1 tsp ginger (fresh grated is awesome, dry is fine)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp pepper
2 tsp brown sugar

1) Mix together all ingredients except the trout. Pour the marinade (aka soy sauce mixture) over the trout and put in the refrigerate to soak for 20 minutes to 2 hours.
2) Heat your smoker (can be done on a grill, see note for instructions) to 200 to 300 degrees. Add a hardwood wood chip like oak, maple, apple, or chestnut. Prepare smoker according to the regular directions.
3) Place the fish in the smoker, skin-side down, again according to directions. Smoke for about 1 hour, or until the fish reaches 150 degrees. Serve immediately.

*Note: If you don't have a smoker, never despair! Heat your grill with only one burner on. Prepare yourself a "smoke bomb" by placing a few wood chips in aluminum foil and sealing all edges except for a teensy tiny hole. Remove the grate from above the one burner that is on. Place the smoke bomb directly on that flame, then place the fish on the other side of the grill. Turn the flame down to the lowest level, then keep the lid shut as much as possible. The rest of the directions should be about the same. Please, DO NOT SMOKE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE! NEITHER FISH NOR CIGARETTES!

Tahini Pasta Salad
(*A quick note about Tahini. Tahini paste is a sesame-seed butter, similar to peanut butter, only with sesame seeds. Its flavor is mild and nutty, but it doesn't actually contain nuts. I found it in the olive oil section of my grocery store, but it might be hard to find. If you don't have tahini, or don't feel like buying a big jar for just one thing, you can substitute peanut butter or sunflower butter.)

1 cup shelled edamame (usually in frozen goods)
1 cup whole kernel corn
1/2 cup acini de pepe OR orzo pasta
2 tbsp tahini paste
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 lime, zest and juice
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp ginger (fresh if you can!)
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
3 tbsp olive oil

1) Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Add the pasta and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain when done, but RESERVE 3 tbsp of the cooking water.
2) Mix the pasta, the edamame, corn, and all other ingredients and heat through. *If your edamame or corn was frozen, thaw before putting in the pasta salad. Makes about 2 adult servings, so make more if you need.

To make Gluten-Free substitute cooked rice (brown rice would be phenomenal!) for the pasta, or use a GF pasta.