Fried Whole Fish With Tomatillo Sauce Recipes

FRIED WHOLE FISH WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim cilantro at the point where it becomes more stem-y than leafy; set leaves with tender stems aside for serving. Coarsely chop about 1/2 cup worth of stems and place in a blender along with tomatillos, pickled jalapeños, and pickling liquid. Purée until smooth; taste and season sauce with salt and more pickling liquid if desired.
• Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high. Transfer fish to a cutting board and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. With a sharp knife, make slashes crosswise on a diagonal along the body of the fish every 2" on both sides, cutting all the way down to the bone. Season fish generously inside and out with salt.
• When the oil is hot-it should be shimmering, and when you drop a small piece of tortilla into the oil it should begin sizzling immediately-grip the fish firmly by the tail and carefully lower, head first, into skillet, making sure to lay it down away from you. (If the tail sticks out of the pan a bit, it's not a huge deal.) Fry until flesh on bottom side is cooked through and skin is deeply browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. While the fish is frying, use a metal spoon to baste the inside of the fish's head with a bit of hot oil periodically. Use tongs and a fish spatula to carefully turn fish over. Fry until flesh on second side is cooked through and skin is deeply browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and season both sides with more salt.
• Pour tomatillo sauce onto a rimmed platter and gently place fish on top. Tuck reserved cilantro into the cavity between the fish's head and body and around the fish. Serve with tortillas.

CRISPY WHOLE STRIPED BASS WITH RED TOMATILLO SAUCE AND ROASTED RED POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat about 2 inches of oil in a high-sided skillet over medium heat to 360 degrees F.
• Whisk together flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in enough water to make a batter the consistency of a crepe batter. When the oil has 360 degrees. Season each fish well on the inside and outside and dip into the batter, allowing any excess to run off. Carefully place 2 whole fish in each pan and cook until golden brown on both sides. Serve each fish on a large plate, ladle with some of the Red Tomatillo Sauce, and arrange the Roasted New Herb Potatoes around the plate.
• Red Tomatillo Sauce: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place tomatillos in a small roasting pan, toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast until soft, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat remaining olive oil in medium sauce pan, add onions and cook until soft. Add garlic and habanero and cook for 1 minute. Add the chile powder and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatillos, stir, and cook for 10 minute. Transfer the mixture to a food processor, add the vinegar, honey, and cilantro, and process until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Roasted New Herbed Potatoes: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Place in a small roasting dish and roast until cooked through and golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately fold in the herbs.

FRIED WHOLE FISH

Steps:

• 1. With a sharp knife, score each fish by making 3 diagonal cuts along the sides. Dust lightly with flour and sprinkle with salt. 2. Heat 1/2 inch of oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy frying pan. Fry the garlic until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove the garlic and discard. Fry the fish, 2 at a time, about 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown on the outside, opaque through to the bone, but still moist inside when tested with a knife. Drain on paper towels. Arrange 3 lime slices on each fish and serve.From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

BASA FILLETS IN TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the rice, water and bouillon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender and water has been absorbed. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot, bring about 2 inches of water to a boil. Add jalapenos, and cook for 5 minutes, then add the tomatillos. Boil for 5 more minutes. Remove the tomatillos with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a blender. Add 1 clove of garlic, salt and 1 or 2 jalapenos. Puree until liquid, then taste, and blend in more jalapeno as desired. Set aside.
• Heat the corn oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and 1 clove of garlic; cook and stir until fragrant. Add the fish fillets, and cook for about 2 minutes per side. Pour in the tomatillo sauce, and mix in the cilantro and lime juice. Simmer for a few minutes, or place under a broiler until fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Serve fish immediately on a bed of rice. Spoon sauce over the top. Enjoy with your favorite ice cold beverage. Buen Apetito!

SAUTéED FISH FILLETS WITH AVOCADO AND TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the avocado sauce. Cover and refrigerate. Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper. 2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Cook the fish about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until it is golden brown on the outside, opaque but still moist inside, and just barely flakes when tested with a fork. Serve hot, with the sauce spooned on top. Garnish with cilantro or parsley. Pass the remaining sauce at the table.From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

BASIL AND TOMATO FRIED RICE

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk the eggs with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat a large wok or 12-inch well-seasoned cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high. When hot, add 1 tablespoon of oil, then pour in the beaten egg. Cook for 15 to 30 seconds, allowing the bottom to set slightly, before stirring and turning until just set. Break up the egg slightly, then remove from the wok and set aside.
• Heat the wok over high. Add 2 tablespoons of oil, along with the onions, and stir-fry for 1 minute, until slightly softened. Add the garlic and bird's-eye chiles and stir for 15 to 30 seconds, until fragrant. Next, add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, tossing every now and then, until the tomatoes are softened. (Reduce heat to medium-high if it starts getting too smoky or the garlic begins to scorch.)
• Add the rice, soy sauce and half the basil, and season with 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt, to taste. Reduce heat to medium-high and stir-fry for 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the rice to soak up the tomato juices. As the liquid cooks off, the rice will char (though less so if using a nonstick pan) and develop some smoky flavors.
• Add the egg and remaining basil and toss for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and check seasonings, adding some black pepper and more salt if needed. Serve immediately.