Marjoram Scented Black Bass Grilled Over Wood Fire Recipes

MARJORAM-SCENTED BLACK BASS, GRILLED OVER WOOD FIRE

Steps:

• Quickly rinse the two black bass under gently running cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season inside and out with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Fill the cavity of each fish with 2 1/2 cloves garlic, half of the marjoram and half the lemon slices. Drizzle half of the oil onto a very large platter, sprinkle each fish with salt and pepper and then with half of the remaining garlic, marjoram and lemon slices. Place both fish on top of the garnish, drizzle with the remaining oil and top with the remaining garlic, marjoram and lemon slices. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours.
• Brush a grill rack or grill basket generously with oil and place 5 inches away from medium coals on a charcoal or gas grill. Cook the fish for about 10 minutes on each side, depending on its size, until done. Remove from the grill to a large platter with the help of two large spatulas. Filet and serve.

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place the cut chicken pieces into a large bowl, and pour the buttermilk to cover them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
• In a large plastic bag, combine all of the dry ingredients.
• Heat the oil in a deep skillet to about 370 degrees. Take the chicken pieces out of the buttermilk, and shake them in the bag with the seasoned flour, one or two at a time. Drop them in the hot oil deep enough to cover, and fry for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn and continue cooking. Turn once more, and cook until the chicken is well browned and tender to the fork. Transfer the chicken to absorbent paper. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary. If serving the chicken later, allow it to cool completely before packing so that it stays crisp.

GRENADINE PUNCH

Steps:

• Combine the tequila, grenadine and lime juice in a bowl and mix.
• Add the ice and stir until it chills the punch. Serve.

THAI BEEF SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange the lettuce on a plate and top with the beef. Sprinkle with the salt and drizzle with the dressing. Garnish with the vegetables, ground rice and mint. Serve with Green Rice (see recipe).

SQUASH BLOSSOM QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• For the tortillas: combine the masa harina and salt in a bowl and stir in 1 1/4 cups water and oil. Knead in additional water to thoroughly soak the masa harina but not make it sticky. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• For the filling: heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chilies and onion until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the squash blossoms and sauté for 1 minute. Add 1 cup water and heat to boiling. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is thick. Season with salt. Let cool.
• To shape the quesadillas, knead the dough in a bowl with enough water to reach a pliable, but not wet or sticky, dough. Remove the dough in 2 tablespoonful amounts and press between 2 sheets of waxed paper to form 4-inch rounds. Spoon a dollop of the filling onto the center of each round and top with a pinch of cheese. Fold the tortilla over the filling and press the edges together to seal.
• Heat 1/4 inch of the oil over medium heat in a skillet and fry the quesadillas, several at a time, for 30 seconds a side, turning several times, until golden brown, adding more oil as necessary. Drain on paper towels and keep warm. Serve immediately. This makes about 24 appetizer-size quesadillas.

COASTAL-STYLE ROASTED SEA BASS OR OTHER LARGE WHOLE FISH

Steps:

• Cut 3 or 4 gashes on each side of the fish, from top to bottom. Salt the gashes and salt the fish's cavity as well. Let it sit while you prepare the other ingredients. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
• Push half of the garlic slivers into the gashes. Rub the fish with a little of the olive oil and pour the rest into the bottom of a large baking pan. Spread the lemon slices over the bottom of the pan and top it with most of the oregano. Lay the fish over all, then spread the onions and remaining garlic around the fish. Pour the wine over all and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with the remaining oregano.
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake, undisturbed, until the onions are nearly tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake, shaking the pan occasionally, until the fish is cooked through, another 5 to 10 minutes (look at one of the gashes in the thickest part of the fish; the meat will appear opaque clear down to the central bone). If the pan is drying out, add a little more liquid.
• To serve, scoop the flesh from the fish with a spoon and top with some sauce.
• If the weather's good, and you have access to fennel branches, this is easier: Start by preheating a charcoal or gas grill; the fire should be quite hot and the grill rack about 4 inches from the heat source. Make a bed of fennel stalks directly on the grill bed. Sprinkle 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of sturdy fish fillets, like halibut (these may be steaks), striped bass, monkfish, or cod, with salt and cayenne. Grill right on the branches. While the fish is cooking, grind a teaspoon or more of fennel or dill seeds; juice 1 lemon and thinly slice another. When the fish is done, remove it from the grill, leaving as much of the stalks behind as possible (some of the burned fronds will adhere to the fish; this is fine). Sprinkle the fish with the fennel or dill seeds, then decorate it with the lemon slices. Drizzle with the lemon juice and a bit of olive oil and serve.

SPINACH RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Prepare the rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the garlic until lightly browned. Add the onion and sauté until clear. Stir in the spinach, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and Tabasco. Remove from the heat.
• Add the rice to the spinach mixture and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Beat 2 of the eggs in a small bowl and add to the spinach mixture. Mix well and set aside to cool.
• Form the mixture into 24 balls. Beat the remaining egg with 1/4 cup water. Dip each ball into the egg wash and then into the bread crumbs.
• Pour oil into a saucepan to a depth of 2 inches and heat to about 365 degrees. Fry the spinach balls in batches until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in a low oven until all the balls are fried. Serve with Cumin Tomato Sauce.

SLOW-ROASTED HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH FRESH THYME

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. In a large saucepan of boiling water, blanch the tomatoes for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon or strainer and immediately chill in a bowl of ice water or rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking. The skins will slip right off. Cut the tomatoes in half, crosswise. Gently squeeze each half to remove seeds.
• Oil a 12-by-8-inch or 14-inch oval baking dish and sprinkle with half of the garlic and thyme. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Now arrange the tomato halves, cut sides up, in the dish and baste with the remaining oil. Season generously with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the remaining garlic, thyme and vinegar.
• Bake the tomatoes for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. When done, they will be soft and just starting to caramelize but still hold their shape. Spoon the pan juices up over the tomatoes and serve from the baking dish.