Middle Eastern Monkfish Recipes

"POOR MAN'S LOBSTER" - MONKFISH WITH HERB BROWNED BUTTER

Steps:

• Cut fillets: Cut each monkfish into 3 or 4 even size pieces. (Note 1)
• Season: Sprinkle both sides of fish with salt and pepper.
• Rack for resting: Place a rack over a tray (optional, for resting fish, Note 5)

MONKFISH IN LEMON BUTTER WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Cover broiling pan (at least 1/4" deep) with foil. Heat broiler to Low.
• Place Monkfish Fillets in pan & season with salt & pepper.
• Slice sticks of butter in 1/8" pieces & lay on top of fish.
• Sprinkle lemon & wine over fish.
• Sprinkle fish with parsley.
• Place in broiler for aprox. 15 to 30 min (I am not sure of the time as I was not paying that much attention to it). I just checked the fish every few minute & took out of oven when fish started to flake.

MIDDLE EASTERN MONKFISH

Steps:

• Finely chop garlic and gingerroot together.
• In a small bowl, stir oil into tomato paste. Stir in garlic and ginger mixture, cinnamon, and caraway seeds. Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove fine skin from monkfish, then spread on the spice mixture.
• Place fish into a shallow dish. Cover and refrigerate for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400.
• Cut a piece of foil large enough to enclose fish.
• Make a bed of chopped onions on the foil. Place monkfish and any spice paste left in the dish on top of onion.
• Fold foil loosely over fish and seal edges tightly.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Open foil and baste fish. Bake another 10-15 minutes until fish flakes.

WOK-COOKED MONKFISH WITH SESAME SOY SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat some groundnut oil in a large wok over high heat. Add the fish to the wok, pressing lightly on the fillets as they cook. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium.
• Turn the fish over and sprinkle the garlic, ginger and chile over the fillets. Cook for a further 3 to 4 minutes, depending on the size of the fillet, until the flesh has turned opaque and flakes when poked at with a fork or a pair of chopsticks.
• Season the fish with the soy sauce and sesame oil. Add the spring onion strips and chopped cilantro and cook until the herbs have wilted slightly.
• To serve, garnish the fillets with the wilted herbs and serve immediately with the steamed vegetables or the scented rice and noodles if using.

HOW TO COOK MONKFISH

Steps:

• Remove the monkfish from the refrigerator (or thaw completely if frozen). Pat dry with paper towels and rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil on all sides. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the remaining olive oil and butter to the pan and swirl the pan to coat.
• Add the monkfish and fry undisturbed for 5 minutes. Using a fish spatula or kitchen tongs, flip the fillets and cook several minutes more, spooning pan juices on top from time to time. Note that 1-inch thick fillets will take 6-7 minutes in total, while 2-3 inch thick fillets could take 15 minutes or more.
• To check doneness, insert a knife tip into the thickest section for a moment. If it comes out hot to the touch, then the fish is done. You can also insert an instant-read thermometer and look for a reading of 145°F.
• Sprinkle lemon juice and optional fresh parsley onto the monkfish. Transfer to serving plates immediately and drizzle pan juices on top.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Set aside a large ovenproof skillet.
• Remove the monkfish from the refrigerator. Pat dry with paper towels and rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil on all sides. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the remaining olive oil and butter to the pan and swirl the pan to coat.
• Add the monkfish and fry for 2 minutes. Then flip and fry for two minutes more.
• Using oven mitts, transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Continue cooking for 3-5 minutes for thinner fillets or 10-12 minutes for thick fillets. To check doneness, insert a knife tip into the thickest section for a moment. If it comes out hot to the touch, then the fish is done. You can also insert an instant-read thermometer and look for a reading of 145°F.
• Sprinkle lemon juice and optional fresh parsley onto the monkfish. Transfer to serving plates immediately and drizzle pan juices on top.

TOMATO MONKFISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place tomatoes on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, chile pepper, garlic, and ginger; fry until golden brown and slightly charred, about 10 minutes.
• Remove tomatoes from the oven and add to the frying pan, including oil from the baking tray. Add vinegar, oregano, parsley, cilantro, bouillon cube, salt, and pepper. Continue to fry until tomatoes reduce into more of a paste, about 5 minutes more.
• Add monkfish and cover with excess paste, making sure fillets are completely surrounded. Reduce heat and cook until fish flakes easily with a fork, 5 to 10 minutes more. Serve immediately.