Poached Vegetables Followed By Poached Fish Recipes

BUTTER POACHED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and radishes and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the asparagus and radish tops, if using, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of pepper and 1/4 cup water. Bring the water to a simmer, then cook, covered, until the asparagus are just barely crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the vegetables are all crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tarragon, lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.

POACHED FISH AND VEGETABLES WITH GARLIC MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Begin poaching the fish and vegetables at least 3 hours before serving. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and salt it. Meanwhile, place fish in a skillet or saucepan, and cover with water. Add a large pinch of salt, and turn heat to medium high. When water boils, lower heat, simmer fish for 8 to 10 minutes or until a thin-bladed knife inserted into the center meets little resistance. Remove fish with a slotted spoon to a plate, cover loosely, and refrigerate.
• Add carrots and potatoes to the pot of boiling water. Cook until tender, then remove with slotted spoon. Run under cold water. Refrigerate. Cook beans in the same water. When crisp-tender, drain and plunge beans into a bowl of ice water. Refrigerate.
• To make aioli, combine egg, cayenne, saffron, garlic, lemon juice and 1/4 cup of the oil in a blender or a food processor. Turn on machine, and begin adding remaining oil in a thin, steady stream. As mixture thickens, add oil a bit faster, blending until emulsion is thick. Taste, adjust seasoning, and chill.
• Serve fish and vegetables cold, passing aioli at table, along with some crusty bread.

POACHED VEGETABLES FOLLOWED BY POACHED FISH

Steps:

• Put a tablespoon or so of salt in a medium (say 6-quart) saucepan and add enough water to cover whatever you might cook. Bring to a boil.
• Add the carrots, reduce the heat so the water bubbles gently (cover partly) and cook until just tender, about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove, plunge into ice water (or at least cold running water). When cool, drain and put in a plastic container or sealable bag.
• Potatoes: Same treatment. About 15 minutes, again depending on size. Fennel, green beans: Ditto. Five minutes or less for each.
• Shrimp or fish: No different really, except if you're cooking white fish, undercook it a bit so it doesn't fall apart. Shrimp just has to turn pink, really. Cooking time for shrimp, scallops, squid: 2 minutes or so. For fillets (nothing too thin, or they will fall apart): 5 minutes or so.