Sweet Potato Crusted Flounder Recipes

POTATO-CRUSTED HALIBUT

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the olive oil, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, lemon zest, crushed red pepper flakes and fennel seeds. Bring to a boil then turn the heat off and let it sit for at least 1 hour. (*Big tip: This can be done ahead and used for LOTS of different things.)
• Using a mandoline, slice 1 potato extremely thin, (paper thin), in elongated rounds. Lay a piece of parchment paper on a clean, dry work surface. Arrange 3 potato slices in an overlapping vertical line pressing them together as you put them on the parchment. Repeat this process until you have a 4 by 6-inch overlapping potato rectangle that replicates fish scales. Brush the potato "scales" with the infused oil and sprinkle with salt. Season the halibut with salt. Lay the halibut fillet closer to 1 end of the potato rectangle than the other and then roll the fish up in the potato slices, using the parchment to help facilitate the rolling. Press to compact and really adhere the potatoes to the fish. Brush the outside of the potatoes with the infused oil to seal the potatoes and to prevent the potatoes from turning brown, this will also help make a nice tight "fish package". Reserve the fish in the refrigerator while preparing the remaining fillets. Refrigerate the fillets for at least 1 hour before cooking.
• To cook the fish:
• Add the infused olive oil to a large nonstick saute pan until the bottom is generously covered and bring the pan to a medium-high heat. Season the fish with salt and add to the pan. Cook the fish on both sides for 3 to 4 minutes frequently spooning the excess oil over the fish to "baste" it. The potatoes should be crispy golden brown and very well flavored and the fish will be succulent inside its crispy "scales". Transfer to serving plates and serve.
• This will make a fish lover out of anyone!

BARRAMUNDI FILLETS WITH ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND BRUSSELS SPROUT CHIPS

Steps:

• Whisk shallot, 1 teaspoon lime juice, lime peel, vinegar, and honey in small bowl. Whisk in 2 tablespoons oil. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Pierce sweet potatoes in several places with fork. Place on sheet of aluminum foil and roast 30 minutes. Turn potatoes over and roast until soft, about 20 minutes longer. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Scoop flesh into processor; discard skins. Puree sweet potatoes until smooth. Add 3 tablespoons butter, thyme, nutmeg, and remaining 2 teaspoons lime juice; process until blended and smooth. Add milk; process to blend. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Vinaigrette and potatoes can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Bring vinaigrette to room temperature and rewhisk before using.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Place brussels sprout leaves on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Spread leaves out in even layer. Roast until almost all leaves are brown in spots and crisp, tossing occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to skillet. Continue to cook fish until edges appear opaque, occasionally basting by spooning juices in skillet over, about 4 minutes. Turn fish over. Cook until just opaque in center, about 2 minutes.
• Rewarm sweet potatoes in microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through, stirring occasionally. Divide sweet potatoes among plates. Arrange fish alongside and drizzle vinaigrette over. Sprinkle brussels sprout chips over and serve.
• What to drink:
• Floral, subtly spiced Chehalem 2008 "3 Vineyard" Pinot Gris, Oregon ($19).

POTATO-CRUSTED FLOUNDER STUFFED WITH FIRE-ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND CHORIZO TOPPED WITH ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the tomato sauce: Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
• Cut the tomatoes into wedges and put in a small bowl. Add the oil and balsamic vinegar, and then season with the salt and pepper.
• Place the tomatoes on a rack, and then place the rack on a sheet pan. Roast for 30 to 45 minutes until the edges brown well and the tomatoes become very soft.
• Put the tomatoes and all juices in a sieve and drain over a small pot. This should remove the skin and seeds and leave you with a thin tomato sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer and reduce until the sauce is a medium thickness, about 5 minutes. Stir in the butter. Add the salt and pepper, to taste, and keep warm.
• To make the stuffing: In a large saute pan, add the olive oil, then chorizo, and let it cook for about 2 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and saute on medium heat until the onions are soft, about 2 or 3 minutes. Add the oregano and bay leaf and cook another 2 minutes, until you can smell the herbs cooking. Add the diced bell peppers and sherry and let simmer 1 minute. Turn off heat. Fold in the bread crumbs until all liquid has been absorbed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
• To make the potato crust: Using an Asian turning mandoline or a vegetable peeler, peel long thin strings of potato. Put the potato strings in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and add the cornstarch. Mix with a spoon until well blended and set aside.
• To stuff and crust the fish: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lay out the fillets flat on a work surface and season with salt and pepper. Place a golf-ball sized piece of stuffing in the center of 1 fillet. Lay another fillet over the stuffing and press softly to distribute the stuffing. Take a small handful of the stringed potato mixture and lay it over the top fillet, leaving only 1/4-inch uncovered around the edges. Press down lightly. Repeat process with remaining fillets.
• Heat a large nonstick, oven-proof saute pan and melt the butter. Place the flounder in the pan, potato-side down, and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip over stuffed flounder and place pan in oven for 9 to 12 minutes, or until fish is cooked through.
• Remove the fish from the oven. Ladle 2 ounces of tomato sauce onto the plate. Lay the stuffed flounder over the sauce and serve with a vegetable, such as sauteed spinach.