Crispy Boneless Whole Fish With Sofrito Recipes

SOFRITO AND FISH

Steps:

• Combine the green bell pepper, onion, aji dulce, garlic, 1/2 cup of the cilantro and the recao in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season both sides of the snapper with salt and pepper. Add the snapper to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the snapper to a platter.
• Lower the heat to medium, add the vegetable mixture and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and finish with the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro. Pour the sofrito over the snapper and enjoy.

SOFRITO

Steps:

• Combine the onion, bell pepper, sweet peppers, garlic and cilantro in a blender. Blend for 30 seconds, until an even consistency is achieved.

SOPA DE MARISCOS: SEAFOOD STEW/SOUP, USING A SOFRITO

Steps:

• In a deep saute pan or fry skillet combine sofrito with fish stock or clam juice on medium low heat whisking frequently until heated through. Add the clams, sea bass and shrimp. Cook for 1 minute. Add the mussels and calamari, and cook until all shellfish open. Finish with tomatoes, yellow pepper, lime juice, cilantro, and salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a sauce pot set on medium, cook the bacon in the olive oil for 30 seconds. Add red and yellow peppers, onions, and garlic, and saute until soft. Add the habanero, jalapeno, and saffron, cook for 1 minute. Add the sherry and cream if desired. Reduce by 1/4, cool and puree in a blender.

CRISPY GOLDEN SAUTEED FISH

Steps:

• Prepare the fish by rinsing and patting dry, without squeezing the delicate fish flesh. Salt and pepper both sides of the fish. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a medium saute pan.
• Cook's Note: Do not use a nonstick pan.
• The oil should be glossy, but not smoking. While the oil is heating, take a fresh paper towel and pat the fish dry a second time, and dredge the fish in flour on both sides, patting off the excess. This will make your beautiful crust-searing foolproof! Place the fish in the pan and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Flip the fish, being firm with the spatula in order to scrape up the whole golden-seared crust when you flip. Once flipped, place 1/2 tablespoon of butter on top of each piece of fish, and allow it to melt into the saucepan. It may brown somewhat, but it should not burn. Allow the mixture to cook another 2 minutes and then remove the fish. Deglaze the pan with the lemon juice (be careful with splatters!), and quickly scrape up the brown bits of flavor. Toss in the parsley, taste for seasoning, and spoon a teaspoon of the rich lemony butter onto the fish and serve.