Sea Bass In Celery Leek Broth With Provencal Vegetable Ravioli Recipes

BLACK SEA BASS IN SPRING VEGETABLE BROTH

Steps:

• Make the aioli: Mince the garlic, then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and mash with the flat side of a chef's knife to make a paste. Transfer to a medium bowl; add the mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice and egg yolk and whisk to combine. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, then the vegetable oil, whisking constantly until smooth; whisk in 1 teaspoon water to loosen. Cover and refrigerate the aioli until ready to use.
• Make the broth: Trim the spring onions to about 6 inches; transfer the tops to a large saucepan (set the bulbs aside). Trim the fennel and thinly slice; transfer 1 cup fennel fronds to the saucepan (set the sliced fennel aside). Add the celery, carrot, parsley sprigs, bay leaf, peppercorns and 8 cups water to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; reduce the heat to medium and cook, 15 minutes.
• Remove the fava beans from their pods. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the fava beans and cook 1 minute; drain and rinse under cold water. Slip off the skins; set the beans aside.
• Strain the vegetable broth into a wide pot. Add the potatoes and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the reserved spring onion bulbs and the tomatoes to the broth; simmer 5 minutes.
• Make the fish: Score each fish fillet crosswise 3 or 4 times on the skin side (do not cut through to the flesh). Season the flesh side with salt. Add the fish to the pot; add the fava beans and reserved sliced fennel, cover and cook until the fish is just opaque, about 6 minutes.
• Divide the potatoes among shallow bowls; top each with a fish fillet, then divide the broth and vegetables among the bowls. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and top each with a spoonful of aioli. Serve with bread and the remaining aioli.

PROVENCAL VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot, add the onions, and saute over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add the leeks, potatoes, carrots, salt, and pepper and saute over medium heat for another 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and saffron, bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender. Add the haricots verts and spaghetti, bring to a simmer, and cook for 15 more minutes.
• To serve, whisk 1/4 cup of the pistou into the hot soup, then season to taste. Depending on the saltiness of your chicken stock, you may need to add up to another tablespoon of salt. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and more pistou.
• Pistou:
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 24 large basil leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• Place the garlic, tomato paste, basil, and Parmesan in the bowl of a food processor and puree. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil down the feed tube to make a paste. Pack into a container, pour a film of olive oil on top, and close the lid.
• Yield: 1 cup

SEA BASS WITH LEEKS, POTATOES AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Melt butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and chicken broth to skillet. Cover and simmer until leeks are tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover skillet and simmer until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place toasted baguette slices, rosemary, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil in processor. Using on/off turns, process until moist crumbs form.
• Place fish on baking sheet. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Spread 1/4 cup mustard atop fish, dividing equally. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs over each fillet, pressing gently to adhere. (Leeks and fish can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)
• Whisk vinegar and 1 teaspoon mustard in small bowl. Gradually whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set vinaigrette aside.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, bake fish until opaque in center, about 20 minutes. Rewarm leek mixture in skillet over medium heat.
• Slice each potato crosswise into 5 rounds. Arrange potato slices in circle on plates. Spread 1/6 of leek mixture over potatoes on each plate. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Place fish atop leek mixture.

BLACK SEA BASS FILLETS PROVENCAL STYLE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan, and add the onion, garlic, leeks, tomatoes, fennel or celery, and turmeric. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the wine, fish broth or clam juice, bay leaf, thyme, cayenne pepper, Ricard, salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes.
• Put the fillets in a skillet large enough to hold them in one layer. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf and pour the mixture evenly over the fish. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes or until cooked. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.