Fish Boil Recipe 55

HOW TO BOIL FISH

Steps:

• Choose the right type of fish. Traditional fish boil recipes use fish local to Wisconsin and Lake Michigan, such as lake trout and whitefish. However, you can use scrod, cod, haddock, or salmon if you don't have access to local whitefish. For this recipe, you'll need (4) ½ pound whitefish steaks. If you want to adjust the recipe for a larger group, have approximately a ½ pound to ¾ pound (227 g to 340 g) of fish per person.
• Find a large cast-iron pot and fire logs for an outdoor boil. If you are planning a traditional outdoor fish boil, you'll boil the fish in a large pot on an open fire. A cast-iron pot typically works best, and you'll need logs or slab wood, as well as matches or a lighter, for the fire. If you can't find a cast-iron pot or kettle for the fish boil, you can use a stainless steel or aluminum pot. It also helps to have a wire basket that you can place the fish in and lower into the pot that you're using. That makes it easier to remove the fish while it's finished boiling. Make sure that you have extra logs or slab wood on hand for the fire in case you to feed it during the fish boil. Instead of a log fire, you can use a propane torch to heat the pot for the boil.
• Select a large stockpot for an indoor boil. You can recreate a fish boil at home without starting an outdoor fire. Instead, use a large stainless steel or aluminum stock pot with on your stovetop. If your pot has a basket or a strainer insert, you'll have an easier time removing the fish when they're done cooking. If you don't have a strainer or basket for the pot, use a slotted spoon to remove the fish from the water when they've finished boiling.

KAY LOGSDON

Steps:

• 1 Combine the water, potatoes, onion, ½ teaspoon of the salt, and the peppercorns in a 10-inch, deep skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. 2 Place the fish over the potatoes and sprinkle the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt over the fish. Cover and continue to simmer until the fish is opaque, 5 to 7 minutes. 3 Using a slotted spatula, transfer the fish to warm serving plates, then transfer the potatoes and onions alongside the fish. Drizzle the butter over the fish. Combine the sour cream and horseradish in a small bowl and serve on the side for the potatoes.

DOOR COUNTY FISH BOIL

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with four quarts of water along with 1/2 cup of salt and bring to a boil over high heat on your stovetop.
• Add the potatoes and onion, along with seafood boil seasoning wrapped in cheesecloth or placed in a tea diffuser, if desired. Boil until potatoes are fork tender, approximately 20-30 minutes.
• When the potatoes are soft, add the fish and the remaining 1/2 cup of salt. Boil for 3-5 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
• When the fish is done, drain the water in a colander and return fish, onion, and potatoes to the pot. Discard the seasoning.
• Add butter to the pot and gently stir to evenly coat everything.
• Serve on plates with sliced lemon. (Alternatively, lemon juice can be squeezed into the pot when the butter is added)

ITALIAN SEAFOOD BOIL

Steps:

• Wrap the bay leaf, rosemary, and fennel seeds in a cheesecloth bag. Set the sachet aside. Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped fennel and shallots and saute until the fennel is tender, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes with their juices, the wine and fish broth. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the sachet. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the flavors blend, about 10 minutes.
• Add the clams to the cooking liquid. Cover and cook until the clams open, about 6-8 minutes (discard any clams that do not open). Using tongs, transfer the clams to a bowl. Repeat with the mussels. Add the potatoes to the cooking liquid and simmer until they are almost tender, about 10 minutes. Add the fish, shrimp, and corn. Simmer until the fish and shrimp are just cooked through, and the corn is heated through, about 5 minutes. Return the clams and mussels to the soup. Stir in the parsley. Season the soup to taste with salt and pepper.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with the Garlic Toasts with Red Pepper Aioli.
• Aioli:
• To make the garlic bread: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Drizzle the oil over the bread slices. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until the bread is crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Immediately rub the garlic cloves over the hot toasts.
• To make the aioli: Finely chop the garlic in the food processor. Add the peppers and blend until almost smooth. Blend in the mayonnaise. With the machine running, blend in the oil. Season the aioli, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the aioli to a small bowl. (The aioli can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Spread the aioli over the toasts and serve.

FISH BOIL

Steps:

• Fill a 24 quart kettle 3/4 full of water. Place over open fire or on stove and bring to boil. Add potatoes and 1 pound of salt. When boil resumes, time for 8 minutes. Then add onions wait until boil resumes then time for 2 minutes. Add whitefish and remaining salt. After 14 additional minutes of boiling dinner is ready. Broth may be ladled off prior to serving. Or use a slotted spoon to retrieve food from kettle.
• Fish is placed on plate along with 2 potatoes and 3 onions, melted butter is then ladled over and garnished with lemon wedge.

OLD BAY® SEAFOOD BOIL

Steps:

• Fill a very large stockpot fitted with a basket insert with about 8 quarts of water, or about halfway full. Squeeze lemons into the water, tossing the halves in too. Add onions, chiles, thyme, garlic, 1 2/3 cup seafood seasoning, 6 teaspoons kosher salt, and bay leaves; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir potatoes into the pot and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Next, add the sausage and corn; cook another 5 minutes, making sure everything stays covered with the liquid. Add the clams and boil until they open, about 8 minutes. Toss in the shrimp and shut off the heat. Cover the pot and let the shrimp steep in the flavor for 10 minutes, adding the crab in the last 5 minutes (press them into the liquid).
• Drain and spread the crab, shrimp, sausage, clams, corn, potatoes, and onions out on a newspaper-covered table or on 3 large serving trays. Sprinkle with a dusting of Old Bay® or provide for individual use.

SEAFOOD BOIL

Steps:

• Use a very large pot (we use a 40 quart pot), fill it half full with water; bring water to a full boil. Add salt, shellfish boil, sausage, and potatoes. Let cook until the potatoes are approximately 1/2 completed cooking.
• Stir in lemons, hot peppers, and corn. Continue boiling until all of the vegetables are tender. Turn off the heat.
• Mix in shrimp and crab. Cover pot and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. When shrimp are pink and the crabmeat opaque and flaky, remove all of the vegetables and shellfish from the pot, and drain well. Serve immediately.

WHITE GULL INN TRADITIONAL FISH BOIL

Steps:

• Wash the potatoes well and cut a thin slice off each end (this allows for better flavor penetration).
• Set them aside.
• Pour the water into a 5-gallon pot and bring it to a rolling boil.
• Keep it boiling as much as possible during the cooking procedure.
• Add 1 cup of the salt and the potatoes to the pot.
• Cook until the poatoes are nearly done (test with a fork), 20 minutes.
• Add the remaining 1 cup salt and the whitefish.
• Cook until the fish is still firm but beginning to pull away from the bone when lifted with a fork, 8 to 10 minutes.
• While the fish is cooking, skim the oil off the surface of the water with a spoon.
• Lift the cooked potatoes and fish from the water and drain well.
• Arrange the fish and potatoes on a large platter and sprinkle with the parsley.
• Serve immediately with the Tartar sauce, melted butter for dipping or spooning over, and the lemons alongside.
• NOTE: The amount of salt is based on the amount of water.
• If you're increasing the amount of water, add 1 cup of salt for each additional gallon of water.

DOOR COUNTY FISH BOIL DINNER (AT HOME)

Steps:

• Add a 1/4 lb. of the salt to water and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, boil for 16 minutes. Add onions, boil for 4 minutes more. Add fish and the other 1/4 lb. of salt and boil for 10 minutes, then drain in a colander. For each plate, place two pieces of fish, two potatoes and two onions. Then drizzle the fish, potatoes and onions with 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter (I use unsalted). Serve with a wedge of lemon, coleslaw and a piece of Door County cherry pie for dessert.