Grilled Onaga Recipes

GINGER-CRUSTED ONAGA WITH CORN, MUSHROOMS, AND MISO SESAME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To prepare vinaigrette, in a bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the rice wine vinegar, the stock, miso, and sugar. In a blender, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of rice wine vinegar, the egg yolks, peanut butter, ginger, garlic chile, and mustard and puree until smooth. With machine running, slowly add the vegetable oil until incorporated, and then slowly add sesame oil. Stir in the sesame seeds. If the mixture seems to thick, add water until the mixture can be poured. Add the blended mixture to the bowl and stir thoroughly. Refrigerate until needed.
• For the ginger-scallion oil, place the ginger and scallions in a deep mixing bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the peanut oil until just smoking. Slowly pour the hot oil over the ginger and scallion, being very careful as the oil will rise up the sides of the bowl. Add the sesame oil. Season with salt. Keep refrigerated.
• For the chile pepper water, in a blender combine the 1/3 cup of water, garlic, chiles, vinegar, ginger, and salt and puree until smooth. In a saucepan, bring the 1 1/4 cups water to a boil. Add the pureed mixture and return to a boil. Remove from the heat. When cool, transfer to an airtight container. Keep refrigerated.
• For the basil oil: In a saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch the spinach for 5 seconds. Drain and transfer to an ice bath to cool. Drain again and transfer to a blender. Add the basil, lemon juice, chile pepper water, garlic and oil. Season with salt, place in a blender, and puree; do not over blend as the oil will lose its color. Strain through a very fine sieve or strainer so that the oil is clear and bright green. Store in a glass container in a cool, dark place.
• For the slivered scallions, using the back part of a large, sharp knife flatten the green parts of the scallions. Cut very finely on a diagonal so that the slivers are about 1 inch long.
• For the fish, in a saute pan over high heat, heat the peanut oil until hot. Season the onaga with salt and pepper. When the oil is almost smoking, sear the onaga for about 45 seconds on each side, or until brown. When cool, top the onaga with the ginger-scallion oil (including the solids it contains) and dust on 1 side with the panko. Transfer the onaga to a oven-proof skillet or roasting pan. In a preheated 350 degree oven, bake for 6 minutes, or until tender and cooked through. Meanwhile, in a saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the mushrooms and saute for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they soften and begin to brown. Add the corn and saute for 2 minutes longer, or until the corn is slightly tender. To serve, divide the Sauteed vegetables among individual plates. Pour 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette around the vegetables and drizzle the basil oil over the vinaigrette. Place the onaga on the vegetables and top with the scallions. Sprinkle the sesame seeds around the plate.

GRILLED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat.
• Peel outer layer off onions. Slice a small section off of one end of each onion, and make a small hole in the center. Fill the center of each onion with a bouillon cube and 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Replace the top of the onion, and wrap in aluminum foil.
• Place onions on grill over indirect heat, and close the lid. Cook for 1 hour, or until tender. Remove the tops, and cut into bite size chunks. Place in a serving dish with all the juices from the foil.

UNCLE GLENN'S ONAGA (STEAMED RED SNAPPER WITH SOMEN)

Steps:

• The day before cooking, submerge the garlic in the oil in a small container. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to cook, check the fish for any remaining scales and scrape off, paying special attention to the head and tail. Rinse the fish and pat dry.
• Boil the somen according to the package instructions, rinsing and draining well. While the noodles are still damp, arrange them on a serving platter and cover with plastic wrap.
• Loosely toss together the celery, carrot, scallions, onion and cilantro leaves in a small mixing bowl. Set aside at room temperature (if refrigerated, the hot oil added at the end won't sizzle). In another small bowl, mix the chung choi, ginger and cilantro stems, and stuff 1/2 cup of the mixture inside the fish cavity, including the head. Pat the remaining few tablespoons over both sides of the fish's body.
• Set a steamer rack or other metal rack inside a wok or roasting pan large enough to accomodate the fish and set on the stove, straddling two burners if needed. Have ready the wok's lid or sheets of foil large enough to cover the roasting pan tightly. Add enough water to come up to the rack (1 to 1 1/2 inches). Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• Meanwhile, stack 2 sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil large enough to hold the fish. Turn up and crimp the foil at the edges to create a boat just large enough to fit the fish. The raised edges will catch the drippings, which will make the sauce. Put the foil boat on the rack over the boiling water, then lay the stuffed fish on the foil. Cover with a lid or tightly with foil and let steam for 15 to 18 minutes (6 minutes per pound). Don't lift the lid to check on the fish, as this will cause the temperature to drop. Adjust the temperature as needed if the lid begins to clatter. Uncover and check to see if the fish is done: The eyes should be white and bulging, the mouth slightly agape and a chopstick inserted into the flesh should slide in easily. Turn off the heat.
• Using two long spatulas, gently transfer the fish to the somen platter, laying it on top of the noodles. Lift the foil boat out of the steamer, careful not to spill any sauce, and pour the sauce into a small bowl. Add the oyster sauce and scallop powder (or fish sauce) and stir. Pour the sauce over the fish, then cover the fish with the vegetable and herb garnish.
• Pour the reserved garlic oil into a small saucepan. Heat over high until the garlic turns golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and discard the garlic. Slosh the soy sauce over the garnished fish, then carefully pour on the hot garlic oil, letting it sizzle. Serve immediately.