Escoveitched Snapper Recipes

ESCOVITCH SNAPPER

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or cast-iron skillet to 350 degrees F.
• Score the fish on both sides with a knife. Sprinkle inside and out with the Seafood Spice Rub. Coat in batter if using (see Cook's Note).
• Fry the fish until the skin, or batter, is crispy, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Serve with Escovitch Dressing.
• In a food processor, pulse together the pimento seeds, adobo, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, black pepper and white pepper. Add the olive oil and process until the mixture has a deep red color, about 45 seconds.
• Combine the vinegar and 3 cups water in a saucepan. Add the sugar, pimento seeds and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Add the carrots, onions, peppers and thyme. Remove the pan from the heat and let the vegetables cook slightly in the hot liquid (they should still be firm).

ESCOVITCHED FISH

Steps:

• Rinse the fish with a mixture of water and lime juice, pat dry, and then score the fish on both sides with a sharp knife. Salt and pepper the fish inside and out. Lightly dust the fish with flour. Heat 1/2-inch of oil in a skillet. Fry the fish in a single layer until golden and crisp. When all the fish are done, set aside. Pour off some of the oil leaving just enough to saute the onions until softened. Then add the Scotch Bonnet and red peppers, saute 1 minute more. Pour the onion mixture over the fish. In the same skillet bring water, vinegar, and sugar to a boil. Immediately pour over the fish. Let cool and refrigerate.

ESCOVEITCHED SNAPPER

Steps:

• Rinse the fish with water and lime juice, and pat dry. Then, score the fish on both sides with a sharp knife. Salt and pepper the fish inside and outside. Lightly dust the fish with flour. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet. Fry the fish in one layer in batches until golden and crisp. Do not crowd the skillet. When all the fish are done, set aside. Pour off some of the oil leaving just enough to saute the onions until softened. Then add the bonnet and red peppers, and saute 1 minute more. Turn the onion mixture out over the fish. In the same skillet heat water, vinegar, and sugar and bring to a boil, then pour over the fish and onions. Let cool and refrigerate.

SNAPPER ESCOVITCH

Steps:

• Mix together 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, garlic powder, ginger, salt and pepper. Season the fish with the mixture.
• In a large skillet over medium, heat oil until really hot but not smoking, about 3 to 5 minutes, and add the fish flesh-side down. Cook until the flesh gets a little color, about 5 minutes. Flip, then continue cooking until the skin is crisp. Remove fish and set aside on a serving platter. Drain oil, leaving about 2 to 3 tablespoons in the skillet.
• Return the skillet to the stove. Add the bay leaf and fresh ginger, and sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add bell peppers, onion, carrots, Scotch bonnet chile, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, allspice and the remaining thyme leaves, and continue cooking, stirring, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add vinegar, and stir to combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, until the vegetables soften but still retain bite, and spoon over fish. (Leave the allspice berries or pickling spice in the topping. Simply eat around them.)

RED SNAPPER ESCOVICHE

Steps:

• For the fish: Wash the fish with the lemon juice and salt. Pat the fish dry, then season the fish with the seasoning salt, garlic and onion granules, paprika and black pepper. Fry the fish in a large skillet with the vegetable oil, flipping once. Place the fish on paper towels. Pour out the oil from the skillet, saving a small amount.
• For the escoviche sauce: Add the onions, carrots, thyme, green and red peppers and Scotch bonnet. Saute the vegetables until tender. Add the vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, paprika, seasoning salt, granulated garlic, granulated onion and black pepper. Slowly add 1/2 cup water to the vegetables to make a sauce. Return the fish to the skillet and simmer for a few minutes.

SNAPPER ESCABèCHE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the vinegar, pineapple juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and ketchup. Bring to a steady simmer and cook until reduced by almost half, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the scallions and bell peppers in a medium bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss. Grill until well marked and tender, about 2 minutes per side for the scallions and 3 minutes per side for the peppers.
• Score the skin side of the snapper fillets, making a few small slashes. Pat dry. Brush both sides of the fillets with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the fish skin-side down, covered, until it's cooked around the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook through, 3 to 4 more minutes.
• Cut the scallions into 3-inch pieces and cut the peppers into 1/4-inch strips. Divide the vegetables and fish among plates. Pour some of the sauce on top and serve the rest on the side. Serve with the rice.

RED SNAPPER ESCOVITCH

Steps:

• Slice pepper, onion and carrot into thin strips.
• Peel and finely mince ginger and garlic.
• Remove stem from cilantro and finely chop.
• Sprinkle fillets with seafood seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saute pan, at medium heat setting.
• place fish in pan and cook for about 4 minutes.
• Turn fillets over and place in center of pan.
• Add lime juice and remaining butter.
• Place garlic, ginger, carrot, onions, bell pepper and cilantro around fish.
• Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until fish is firm and white.
• Serve immediately with angel hair pasta or steamed rice.