Blackened Redfish Recipes

BLACKENED FISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together paprika, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper, white pepper, thyme and salt; set aside. Heat a heavy cast iron pan on high heat until extremely hot, about 10 minutes.
• Pour 3/4 cup melted butter into a shallow dish. Dip each fillet into butter, turning once to coat both sides. Sprinkle both sides of fillets with spice mixture, and gently pat mixture onto fish.
• Place fillets into hot pan without crowding. Carefully pour about 1 teaspoon melted butter over each fillet. Cook until fish has a charred appearance, about 2 minutes. Turn fillets, spoon 1 teaspoon melted butter over each, and cook until charred. Repeat with remaining fish.

PAUL PRUDHOMME'S BLACKENED REDFISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, thyme and oregano. Mix well. Set aside.
• Place a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 10 minutes. It will get smoky, so turn on the exhaust fan and turn off the smoke detector.
• Meanwhile, pour 2 tablespoons of melted butter in each of 6 small ramekins; set aside and keep warm. Pour the remaining butter into a shallow bowl. Dip each fillet in the butter so that both sides are well coated. Sprinkle the spice mix generously and evenly on both sides of the fish, patting it on by hand.
• When the skillet is heated, place the fillets inside without crowding and top each with 1 teaspoon of melted butter. Cook, uncovered, until the underside looks charred, about 2 minutes. Turn the fillets over and again pour 1 teaspoon of butter on top; cook until done, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to warmed plates and repeat with the remaining fish. Serve immediately, with a ramekin of butter on each plate.

CAJUN BLACKENED REDFISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter on low heat; cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the cayenne pepper, black pepper, lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt. Set aside.
• Dip the filets into the melted butter, then coat with the seasoning mixture.
• In a large skillet over high heat, sear fish on each side for 2 minutes or until slightly charred.
• Place in a 11x7 inch baking dish and pour the Italian dressing onto each filet. Cover baking dish and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until flaky and tender.

BLACKENED FISH WITH QUICK GRITS

Steps:

• Prepare the fish: In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet paprika, black pepper, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, salt and cayenne. Pat the fish fillets dry, then sprinkle enough seasoning over both sides of the fillets to completely coat. Reserve remaining seasoning for another use. Allow the fish to sit for 15 minutes at room temperature.
• While the fish sits, make the cheese grits: Bring the chicken stock and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over high. Add the grits while whisking and reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Allow the grits to thicken, about 5 minutes or so, then stir in the milk, butter and cheese. Season with black pepper and more salt to taste. Keep over the lowest heat possible until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, cook the fish: Heat a large cast-iron skillet with the olive oil and butter over medium-high. Add the fish fillets, and cook until the spices are darkened and aromatic, and the fish flakes easily with a fork, 2 to 4 minutes per side.
• Divide the grits among serving dishes and nestle the fish on top. Garnish the grits with more shredded cheese and the whole dish with the scallions. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish.

BLACKENED REDFISH

Steps:

• NOTE: Fish fillets (preferably redfish, pompano or tilefish) cut about 1/2 inch thick.
• Redfish and pompano are ideal for this method of cooking.
• If tilefish is used, you may have to split the fillets in half horizontally to have proper thickness.
• If you can't get any of these fish, salmon steaks or red snapper fillets can be substituted.
• In any case, the fillets or steaks must not be more than 3/4 inch thick.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over very high heat until it is beyond the smoking stage and you see white ash in the skillet bottom (the skillet cannot be too hot for this dish), at least 10 minutes. (FT - this recipe is *NOT* for the faint of heart) Meanwhile, pour 2 Tablespoons melted butter in each of 6 small ramekins; set aside and keep warm.
• Reserve the remaining butter in its skillet.
• Heat the serving plates in a 250F oven.
• Thoroughly combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl.
• Dip each fillet in the reserved melted butter so that both sides are well coated; then sprinkle seasoning mix generously and evenly on both sides of the fillets, patting by hand.
• Place in the hot skillet and pour 1 teaspoon melted butter on top of each fillet (be careful, as the butter may flame up).
• Cook, uncovered, over the same high heat until the underside looks charred, about 2 minutes (the time will vary according to the fillet's thickness and the heat of the skillet).
• Turn the fish over and again pour 1 teaspoon butter on top; cook until fish is done, about 2 minutes more.
• Repeat with remaining fillets.
• Serve each fillet while piping hot.
• To serve, place one fillet and a ramekin of butter on each heated serving plate.

BLACKENED REDFISH

Steps:

• Coat the redfish with one tablespoon olive oil and Blackening Season blend.
• Heat a non stick heavy sauté pan to very, very hot.
• Add two tablespoons of olive oil to pan.
• Add fish fillets and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add remaining olive oil turn fish and cook another 2 minutes.
• Squeeze juice of one lemon on fish fillets and serve with additional fresh lemon wedges.