Crisp Skin Snapper With Polenta Recipes

CRISPY-SKINNED FISH WITH HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Using the side of a chef's knife, mash anchovies (if using) and garlic on a cutting board until a coarse paste forms. Mix in a medium bowl with herbs, pickles, lemon juice, and 5 Tbsp. oil. Season green sauce with kosher salt and pepper.
• Swirl remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet to coat. Season fish generously on both sides with salt and lay, skin side down, in cold skillet. Place skillet over medium heat and let it gradually heat up until fat starts to cook out of fish, about 4 minutes. At this point you may press gently on fish so that the skin is flat against the pan. Continue to cook until skin is super-crisp and flesh is mostly opaque (you can increase or decrease heat slightly if needed, but don't try to rush it), 8-12 minutes longer, depending on the thickness of the fish. Less fatty fish won't release as much fat on their own, so you may need to add a splash more oil to the skillet if the skin isn't getting crisp enough. Turn fish and cook just until opaque all the way through, about 1 minute.
• Spoon green sauce onto a platter and carefully set fish, skin side up, on top. Sprinkle with sea salt.

POTATO CRUSTED SNAPPER IN BEURRE BLANC SAUCE

Steps:

• Using a Chinese or a regular mandoline, finely julienne the potatoes, and immediately put them into cold water and rinse thoroughly. Repeat 2 or 3 more times, or until water is clear. (The purpose of this is to rinse all the starches and sugars so potatoes do not burn when cooking). Drain water from potatoes and towel dry thoroughly. In a mixing bowl, add potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add about 1/2 cup of the warm clarified butter, or enough to coat.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Season snapper well with salt and pepper. Take julienned potaotes and put a thin layer on the top side of the fish only. In a large saute pan heat about 1/4-inch of clarified butter over medium-high heat. Carefully lay fillets in pan, potato side down, and pan-fry until potatoes are golden brown. Turn fish over and finish cooking in pan in the oven. Place 1 fillet on each of 4 dinner plates. Top with Beurre Blanc Sauce and garnish with lemon herbs.
• Heat cream in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 3/4 cup. Reserve. In a large skillet, reduce wine, peppercorns, lemon juice, and shallots over high heat until almost dry (only a little liquid remains). Add reduced cream, whipping constantly. Remove from heat, and slowly whip in butter until thickened and smooth. Serve over snapper.

CRISP RED SNAPPER WITH RAGOUT OF POTATOES, ONIONS, ARTICHOKES, AND GREEN OLIVES WITH SAUCE VIERGE

Steps:

• For the Fish: Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper. Pour 3 tablespoons of oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, but not smoking, place fish in pan skin side down, gently pressing on the fish so it does not curl up. From this point turn down the heat to medium and do not touch the fish. The skin will become crispy and release itself from the pan. Cook for 4 minutes on the skin side, and turn the fish over, cooking for 2 more minutes or just until done. Keep warm.
• For the Ragout: In a medium saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add the potatoes and onions, sauteing them until warmed through and a little color has appeared on the potatoes. Add the artichokes and olives and cook another 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the potatoes are tender. Drizzle remaining1 tablespoon of olive oil into the ragout before plating. Serve warm.
• Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze 1 tablespoon of juice from half of the lemon into a bowl, removing any seeds that may fall into the bowl. Slice the other half of the lemon into thin slices, and place them in the bowl. Add the garlic, tomatoes, and parsley to the bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine.
• Spoon the ragout evenly into 4 warm bowls, or deep plates. Top the ragout with the fish, skin side up. Drizzle the sauce on top of the fish and serve immediately.

SAUSAGE & PEPPERS WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring milk and 1 teaspoon salt to boiling in a medium saucepan.
• Pierce sweet Italian sausages with a fork. Place in a 10-inch deep skillet and cook, covered, over medium-high heat until browned.
• Meanwhile stir instant polenta into boiling milk.
• Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons EACH grated parm and butter.
• Pour polenta onto serving platter, spreading evenly.
• To sausages, add peppers and tomatoes.
• Reduce heat to medium, partially cover and cook 5 minutes.
• Pour mixture over polenta and top with additional grated Parm.

CRISPY POLENTA SQUARES

Steps:

• Pour warm polenta into an oiled 8-by-8-inch square pan and smooth out top. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours but up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Flip polenta onto a cutting board. Brush the top with olive oil. Cut into 16 two-inch squares. Preheat a baking sheet for a few minutes and place the squares on the sheet.
• Place baking sheet in the upper third rack of the oven. Cook 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the tomato topping by combining all ingredients in a bowl and tossing to coat. Let sit until ready to serve.
• Increase oven setting to broil and cook polenta squares until golden brown on top, about 3 minutes. Transfer squares to a platter and scatter tomato mixture on top.

CRISPY POLENTA

Steps:

• Brush a small rimmed baking sheet with olive oil; set aside. In a large pot, bring 6 cups water to a boil over high heat; season with salt. Slowly whisk in polenta, and cook, partially covered, and stirring every 4 to 5 minutes, over medium-low heat until it begins to thicken, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Carefully pour polenta onto prepared baking sheet, spreading it out to an even thickness. Let cool, and tear into 1-inch pieces; lightly dust with flour.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. Meanwhile, heat sunflower oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot until it registers 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Using a slotted spoon, carefully add polenta in batches while maintaining the temperature of the oil. Cook until crispy, about 4 minutes. Transfer to prepared baking sheet to drain. Serve immediately seasoned with sea salt.

CRISP SKIN SNAPPER WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 °F.
• In a small bowl, toss together cilantro, garlic and lime zest. Heat cast iron skillet over medium high heat, add 2 tablespoons canola oil and arrange fillets skin side down, in 1 layer in skillet. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place skillet in oven for 7 minutes until fillets are just cooked through. Transfer fish, skin side up, onto the polenta then sprinkle with cilantro mixture.
• To make polenta: In a heavy skillet over medium heat cook bacon until golden brown, add peppers, corn and chipotle to skillet saute for 5 minutes. Add 5 1/2 cups water; increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low; cook until polenta begins to thicken (should be the consistancy of oatmeal), stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Stir in cream, cheese and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.