Roast Pike With Piquant Herb Butter Recipes

PAN-ROASTED FISH FILLETS WITH HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Pat fillets dry with a paper towel. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat a heavy 10-inch nonstick or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil. Place the fillets in the pan, skin side down (if applicable), laying them down away from your body. If fillets have skin, press down gently with a spatula for about 20 seconds to prevent curling.
• Lower heat to medium and let sizzle until fish is golden and caramelized around edges, about 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip fillets and add butter and thyme to pan. Tilt pan slightly to let the melted butter pool at one end. Use a spoon to baste the fish with the pooled butter. Continue basting until golden all over and cooked through, 45 to 90 seconds more, depending on the thickness of your fish. Serve immediately with chopped parsley (if using) and lemon wedges.

NORTHERN PIKE WITH CHOUCROUTE AND JUNIPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan over a medium high flame and add the sauerkraut and the cabbage. Stir the mixture well, season to taste, and when it is very hot cover and set aside. In a small sauce pot combine the spices and vinegar and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain the vinegar into another small saucepot and add the sugar, salt, chicken stock and canola oil. Heat again until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Emulsify the liquid with a hand held mixer. Incorporate some air into the liquid as you are mixing so that the liquid becomes very frothy. Set aside at room temperature. Once the sauce and the garnishes are prepared, saute the pike. Heat the peanut oil in a saute pan large enough to hold all the fish and dust it lightly with flour. Add the fillets to the pan and cook for 1 minute on the first side. Add the whole butter to the pan and flip the fish over. Baste the fish with the butter for 1 or 2 more minutes until it is done and remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Stir the cilantro into the hot choucroute. Place a mound on each plate and top with a piece of fish. Spoon some of the sauce around each fish and dust with a little ground juniper. Serve with boiled potatoes or Fromage Blanc Dumplings (see separate recipe).

FRESH HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Mix together the basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, zest, butter and some salt and pepper. Transfer to a piece of waxed or parchment paper and roll into a log or place in a small bowl. Refrigerate until firm. Slice and serve with fresh corn on the cob, steak or bread.

HERB-STUFFED ROAST ARCTIC CHAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Remove the leaves from 2 sage sprigs, 1 parsley sprig, all of the thyme sprigs and the rosemary; finely chop along with the lemon zest. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the garlic and 1 tablespoon olive oil to make a paste; set aside.
• Brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Run the back of a knife over the skin of the fish to remove any excess moisture; pat dry inside and out. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Cut 4 slits through the skin on each side of the fish with a sharp knife; rub inside and out with 1 tablespoon olive oil, making sure to get inside the slits. Season the fish inside and out with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; spread the herb paste all over the inside.
• Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 130 degrees F to 135 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the leaves from the remaining 1 sage sprig and 2 parsley sprigs; add to the hot oil and cook, stirring, until crisp, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.

STANDING RIB ROAST WITH ROASTED GARLIC HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Build a fire (wood or a combination of charcoal and wood) for indirect cooking by situating the coals on only one side of the grill, leaving the other side void.
• On a doubled square of aluminum foil, place the garlic cloves, thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Drizzle the olive oil over the ingredients. Wrap the foil tight and place over the void side of the grill. Cook the foil pouch for 45 minutes at 250°F.
• Remove the pouch from the cooker and open the foil. After cooling slightly, squeeze the garlic cloves from the husks into a small bowl. Mash the garlic and cooked herbs together, forming a paste. Stir in the softened butter and mix well. Spoon the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap and roll it into a small log. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes, or up to 2 weeks.
• Cut small slits every 3/4 inch onto the top (the opposite side from the bones) of the rib roast. Slice the chilled garlic herb butter into pats and insert one into each slit, using the entire amount of butter. Season the rib roast evenly with the salt and pepper.
• Place the rib roast on the void side of the grill with the bone side down and cook over indirect heat for 2 to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 120 to 125°F for rare, 130 to 135°F for medium rare, or 140 to 145°F for medium. Let the roast rest under tented foil for 20 minutes and then slice between each bone into thick steaks.
• Cooking Method
• Indirect heat
• Suggested Wood
• Hickory, Oak