Pistachio Crusted Snapper With Aged Balsamic And Pomegranates Recipes

PISTACHIO AND POMEGRANATE MEATBALLS (KUFTEH-YE PESTEH-O ANAR)

Steps:

• To make the meatballs: Place all the ingredients, except the ground turkey and egg, in a food processor and pulse until you have a grainy paste. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add the turkey and egg. Lightly knead with your hands for a few minutes (do not over-mix). Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Generously oil a wide, non-reactive baking dish, large enough to fit 24 meatballs, (about 12 x 14 in/30 x 35 cm) and set aside.
• Remove the turkey mixture from the fridge and shape into walnut-sized balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each, using an ice-cream scoop). Place the meatballs in the baking dish and brush well with oil. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until bottoms of the meatballs are lightly golden.
• Meanwhile, in another mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the glaze.
• Spoon the glaze over the meatballs and bake for another 5 minutes to infuse them with the flavor of pomegranate.
• Garnish with the pomegranate arils and serve warm with the sauce. These meatballs are perfect for wrapping with sprigs of fresh basil in lavash bread or green lettuce.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine pistachios, panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and butter in a small bowl; stir with a fork until evenly combined.
• Lightly season salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear salmon fillets, flesh-side down, for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn heat off and flip salmon pieces over so skin side is down. Brush tops of salmon evenly with Dijon mustard. Top with pistachio mixture, pressing mixture down onto salmon.
• Bake in the preheated oven until salmon flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED FISH FILLETS

Steps:

• Place egg white in a shallow bowl. Combine the pistachios, bread crumbs, parsley, pepper and salt in another shallow bowl. Dip fillets in egg white, then pistachio mixture., Place fish on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with butter. Bake at 450° for 8-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

POMEGRANATE PISTACHIO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet; brush tops with butter. Bake until lightly toasted, 4-6 minutes. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool., Beat cream cheese, orange juice and honey until blended; spread over toasts. Top with remaining ingredients.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED RED SNAPPER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. (You can line it with foil or parchment paper and then grease for easier cleanup) Combine pistachios, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and 4 tablespoons olive oil. Mix with a fork or fingers until crumbs are moist but separate. Spread a thin layer of mustard over each side of the snapper fillets and then dip in crumb mixture. Lightly drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes - until almost done. Turn on broiler and broil fish 3-5 minutes until crust browns and fish finishes cooking.

PISTACHIO AND POMEGRANATE CHEESE LOG

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, shredded cheese, chives, lemon zest and salt with a wooden spoon or spatula until well blended. Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap and form into an even 1-inch-diameter log. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• In a small pot, combine the pomegranate juice, hot honey, sugar and cardamom. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then let the sauce cook and reduce until thickened, about 20 minutes. (It should coat the back of a spoon and have a glazelike consistency.) Keep warm or serve at room temp.
• Unwrap the cheese log and place on a platter. Garnish the log with the pistachios, pomegranate seeds and a generous drizzle of the pomegranate syrup. Serve with your favorite crackers.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Place pistachio nuts in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Transfer to a plate.
• Beat eggs with water in a shallow bowl. Roll asparagus in the egg wash, then in ground nuts. Place on a wire rack set on a sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) while pistachio crust sets, about 15 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 15 minutes.

POTATO CRUSTED SNAPPER

Steps:

• Combine buttermilk, garlic and salt and pepper in a shallow dish.
• Place the potato flakes in another shallow dish.
• Dip fillets in buttermilk mixture, dredge in potato flakes.
• Melt the butter in a large nonstick frypan over medium high heat.
• Add fish, cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden and fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• Serve with lemon wedges.