Mackerel With Fennel Olives And Sun Dried Tomatoes Recipes

MACKEREL WITH LEMON OLIVE OIL AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Make the oil: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil and lemon zest until you see the first tiny bubble appear on the side of the pan. Immediately turn off heat. You don't want the mixture to simmer.
• Let infuse for at least 20 minutes (and preferably an hour) before using; you do not have to strain it. Oil can be made up to a month in advance. Store in a sealed jar at room temperature.
• When ready to prepare the fish, heat oven to 425 degrees. Place the basil leaves on a rimmed baking dish and arrange fish on top. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper, then drizzle the lemon oil over the fillets. Top with olives. Scatter tomatoes around the pan.
• Roast until the fish is just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes for thin fillets and up to 12 minutes for thick fillets.
• Cut naked lemon into wedges. Serve fish drizzled with more lemon oil, garnished with lemon wedges and torn basil leaves.

OVEN-DRIED TOMATOES WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees. Remove tomato stems and cut the tomatoes in half at the poles. Salt and pepper the cut sides then place tomatoes cut-side down on a rack in a broiler pan. Brush the tops (the skin side) liberally with olive oil, then add salt and pepper. Place tomatoes in oven. Cook slowly for 12 hours, brushing the skins with olive oil every 2 hours to prevent the skins from drying out. When done, let tomatoes come to room temperature. For the dressing: Put the vinegar in a bowl and slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until the dressing thickens. Add the olives and the garlic clove. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well and let stand for 1-2 hours. To serve: Place 3 tomato halves on each of 8 plates. Remove garlic from dressing and divide dressing among the plates, pouring over and around the tomatoes. Scatter the fennel strips on top of the tomatoes and finish with a touch of chervil.;

BARLEY BAKED WITH OLIVES AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Heat the oil in a two- to three-quart ovenproof casserole or saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the onions and saute over low heat until they are tender. Stir in the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and barley. Stir in half the stock, bring to a simmer, cover and place in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, stir the barley, add half the remaining stock and return the casserole to the oven to bake another 20 minutes. Stir once more, add the remaining stock and bake the barley another 15 to 20 minutes, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the barley is tender.
• Season to taste with salt, if necessary, and pepper and fold in the basil.

MACKEREL WITH ROASTED FENNEL, MEYER LEMON, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice fennel into 1/2-inch wedges (reserve fronds), arrange on a rimmed baking sheet, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and roast, flipping fennel halfway through, until caramelized and golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• Peel zest from lemon, avoiding white pith. Thinly slice zest on the bias. In a medium bowl combine zest with fennel, olives, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
• Butterfly mackerel by cutting lengthwise along belly of fish toward tail, then slicing along backbone (but not all the way through the fish). Gently open fish and arrange skin-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet; flatten slightly. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until cooked through and flaky, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and top with fennel mixture. Garnish with chopped fennel fronds.