Crisp Sea Bass With Grapefruit Hollandaise Recipes

CRISP SEA BASS WITH GRAPEFRUIT HOLLANDAISE

Steps:

• Put the vinegar, peppercorns and coriander seeds (if using) into a small pan with 1 tbsp water. Simmer until reduced to 1 tsp, then remove from the heat. If it reduces too much, add a splash of water.
• Segment the grapefruit and put the segments onto kitchen paper. Squeeze the juice from the middle of the fruit.
• Melt the butter in a small pan and keep it warm. Put the egg yolks into a blender or food processor with a generous pinch of salt. Strain the reduced vinegar on top, then discard the pepper and coriander seeds. Add 1 tsp grapefruit juice, then whizz for a few seconds.
• With the motor on the blender running, pour in about 1 tbsp butter and the cream. Gradually add the rest of the butter, allowing it to fully emulsify after each addition to make a thick, smooth sauce. Keep the butter warm on the hob in-between pours. Add 1 tsp more grapefruit juice to loosen, then season. Stir in the segmented grapefruit and break it up a little. Keep the sauce warm while you cook the fish.
• Slash, then season the sea bass. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Heat the oil, then fry a fillet or two, skin-side down, for 4-5 mins, or until the flesh has changed colour almost all the way through and the skin is crisp. Flip the fish over, cook for 30 secs, then remove to a plate and keep warm while you fry the remaining fillets. Serve with the hollandaise and steamed greens.

FILLET OF FISH WITH GRAPEFRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high.
• Cut each fillet crosswise in half. Arrange the fish halves close together in one layer in a rimmed baking dish.
• Blend the coriander, grapefruit juice, salt and pepper. Pour this over the fish, and let stand 10 or 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel the grapefruit, cutting away all the white fibrous portions beneath the skin. Cut the flesh into neat sections, cutting between the tough, fibrous white portions. Set the sections aside.
• Drain the fish fillets. Arrange them on a baking sheet, and rub with oil to coat evenly on both sides. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place under the broiler about 4 inches from the source of heat. Leave the broiler door slightly ajar. Broil the fish for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Spoon the butter over the fish, and let it melt. Arrange the grapefruit sections around the fish, and serve immediately.

CRISP SEA BASS WITH BRAISED ENDIVE AND AGED BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Season the fish to taste with salt and pepper. Combine egg and cream to make an egg wash. Brush 1 side of the fillets with egg wash, then cover the egg wash side of fillets with bread crumb or cereal, and press down firmly. In a hot saute pan add 3 tablespoons oil. Place the fillets into the pan breaded side down. Cook for 2 minutes. Turn fillets over add the thyme and cook for approximately 2 minutes more, or until fillets are cooked, remove from pan. Meanwhile place 2 tablespoons oil into a hot pan, when the oil starts to smoke, add the endive. Toss the endive. Add the spice mix and the chives. Cook for 1 minute then remove from the heat. Place the endive in the center of 4 plates. Place the fish on top of the endive. Drizzle the chive oil around then the balsamic vinegar. Garnish with chives.

CRISP SWIMMING FISH

Steps:

• Place the fish on a chopping board. Cut 5 slits diagonally into each side of the fish, but do not cut to the bone. Sprinkle vinegar all over, inside and out. Repeat with the wine, salt, and white pepper. Place the cornstarch on a sheet of wax paper and coat the fish thoroughly on both sides, including the cleaning opening.
• Heat a wok over high heat for 40 seconds. Pour the oil into the wok and heat to 375 degrees F to 400 degrees F. Place the fish in a Chinese strainer and lower into the oil. (If it cannot be lowered completely, ladle oil over it and tip the strainer so the fish is completely cooked, brown and crisp, including the head.) Fry for 10 to 12 minutes, until cooked.
• Remove to a heated serving dish. Use a cloth to protect your hands and place the fish upright, stomach and cleaning opening down. Press it down gently so that it is firmly set. Reserve. Empty all but 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil from the wok.
• In a bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside. Heat the wok for 20 seconds. Add the onion, stir, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the ginger and stir briefly. Add the chilies, carrot, and bamboo shoot. Stir the sauce, add to the wok and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Pour it over the fish, sprinkle with the scallion, garnish with the coriander, and serve.

SEA BASS WITH BRAISED COURGETTES & HARISSA MAYO

Steps:

• Stir the mayonnaise and harissa together and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the courgettes, heat the olive oil in a high-sided, non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the fennel seeds, red onion and chilli with a pinch of salt for 5 mins until softened and fragrant. Add the cherry tomatoes, garlic and courgette, then season and cook down for a few mins. Pour in the wine, lemon juice and about 200ml water and simmer for 15-20 mins until the tomatoes and courgettes are collapsing. Bubble off any excess water. Stir through the dill and keep warm while you cook the sea bass. (Take your fish out of the fridge 20 mins before you cook it to bring it up to room temperature.)
• Heat the olive oil with the thyme in a non-stick frying pan over a low-to-medium heat. Place the sea bass fillets skin-side down in the pan. Season the flesh-side of the fillets with salt and pepper. Cook gently for about 8 mins until the skin is crisp (it might spit during this time, so best to wear an apron), then add a small amount of lemon juice and baste the flesh of the fish in the warm oil and lemon for about 4 mins, or until opaque and cooked through.
• Divide the vegetables between plates and top with the bass. Serve with the harissa mayo and lemon wedges.