Whole Sea Bass With Charred Serrano Basil Vinaigrette Recipes

CRISPY WHOLE RED SNAPPER WITH CHARRED JALAPENO-BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the Charred Jalapeno-Basil Vinaigrette: Heat oil in a small saute pan until smoking. Add the jalapeno and cook until charred on all sides. Let the pepper cool and slice thinly. Place the pepper and the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until blended.
• For the Crispy Fish: Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F. Pat fish on both sides with paper towels to insure that it is totally dry. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper. Mix rice flour and water together. Dredge both sides of each fish in the batter and tap off any excess. Slowly lower the fish into the oil and fry for 6 to 7 minutes. Carefully remove, drain on plate lined with paper towels and drizzle immediately with the vinaigrette.
• For the Grilled Vegetables: Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper, and grill until tender.

WHOLE GRILLED ZUCCHINI WITH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.
• Put the zucchini on the grill and cover. Cook, turning every 5 minutes, until slightly charred all over and tender when poked with the tip of a paring knife, 15 20 minutes. Remove to a cutting board and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the basil, oil, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl and whisk until combined. Slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch slices, arrange on a plate, drizzle with the vinaigrette and sprinkle with the chives.

WHOLE ROASTED SEA BASS

Steps:

• Season the cavity and exterior of fish with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly brush with oil a baking dish that is just large enough to hold fish without crowding. Divide thyme, rosemary, and parsley evenly between each fish, and place inside cavity. Place 2 bay leaves in cavity of each fish, and place remaining 2 bay leaves in baking dish. Sprinkle scallions over and around fish; drizzle with olive oil.
• Transfer to oven and roast 15 minutes. Continue to roast, checking every few minutes, until the thickest part of the fish is just firm, about 5 minutes more.
• Drizzle fish with lemon juice and transfer to a cutting board; set baking dish aside. Working from the head to the tail, cut along backbone to separate the flesh from the bone. Carefully lift top fillet and transfer to a plate. Lift and discard bones. Gently lift second fillet to same plate. Repeat process with remaining fish. Drizzle with any pan juices before serving.

PAN SEARED SEABASS WITH WHITE BEAN RAGOUT, BRAISED ESCAROLE AND TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Discard the water from the soaked beans.
• In a large saucepot, render the pancetta. Add the beans and 5 cups of water. Simmer for 45 minutes. Strain the beans, reserve the liquid and discard the pancetta. Set aside.
• In the same pot, heat the olive oil. Saute all the vegetables until the onions are transparent.
• In a small bowl, dilute the tomato paste in the remaining 1/2 cup of water. Add to the vegetables. Add the spinach, the reserved bean liquid and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add the beans, season with salt and pepper. Reduce by 1/4. Reserve.
• Prepare the Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and toss gently. Reserve.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the fish fillets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place a medium saute pan over high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and saute the fish, skin side down for 2 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake until done, about 5 to 6 minutes. Do not turn the fish to ensure a crispy skin.
• Prepare the escarole. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil. Saute the escarole until wilted. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, lay out 4 large soup plates and ladle 6 ounces of the white bean ragout on each plate. Lay 2 spears of escarole cross-wise. With a metal spatula, carefully place a fillet, skin side up, on top of the escarole. Spoon tomato vinaigrette across the fillet. Serve immediately.