Striped Bass With Braised Leeks Orange And Thyme Recipes

CARAMELIZED LEEKS BRAISED IN A WINE AND THYME BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim the leeks by removing the outer layer and most of the dark green tops. You should be left with only the white and light green parts. Halve them lengthwise, making sure to leave the root end intact. Place the trimmed leeks in a large bowl of cold water and swish them around to remove the grit and dirt from the many layers. (Leave the leeks in the water for a few minutes - this will loosen up the dirt). Remove the leeks from the water and drain them on a kitchen towel or paper towels.
• Place a 12" non-stick skillet over medium heat (the skillet should have a lid which you will need later.) When the skillet is hot, add two tablespoons of butter and when the butter melts, sprinkle the sugar, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper evenly over the bottom of the skillet. Next, add the leeks, cut side down in a single layer. Cook the leeks until they become golden brown and caramelized. This will take 5-6 minutes depending on the heat and the kind of skillet you are using.
• To the skillet, add the wine, broth, fresh thyme sprigs and some salt & pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, carefully turning them once or twice (this step is not absolutely necessary). The leeks are done when they can be pierced easily with a knife. If they need a longer time braising or if your liquid has evaporated, add some more wine and broth.
• Remove the leeks from the skillet and place on a serving dish. Cover them to keep them warm. Simmer the remaining liquid in the skillet over medium heat, for a minute or so, until it is thickened. Stir in the remaining 1-tablespoon of butter and the lemon juice. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Spoon the sauce over the leeks; sprinkle some pomegranate seeds (this is optional) and serve warm.

STRIPED BASS WITH BRAISED LEEKS, ORANGE, AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using 1 tablespoon oil, brush bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish and an 8-inch square of parchment paper. Place leeks in dish, cut sides up, alternating root ends with tops for a snug fit. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Arrange half the thyme and half the orange slices over leeks, and pour orange juice over top. Cover with parchment paper, oiled side down. Braise until leeks are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Season fish with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Remove parchment. Arrange fish over orange slices. Top with olives and remaining thyme and orange. Cover with the parchment; bake until fish flakes easily, about 15 minutes.
• Divide fish, olives, and orange slices among plates. Season leeks with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and add to plates. Garnish with thyme sprigs.

BRAISED LEEKS WITH ORANGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat a very large ovenproof skillet with a lid over medium high. Add oil and swirl to coat pan. Add leeks in as close to a single layer as possible. Cook until beginning to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add orange juice and stock and season with 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt. Turn leeks over and place oranges and thyme on top. Bring liquid to a boil.
• Cover and place in oven until leeks are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn oranges over, spooning some liquid over the top. Return to oven, uncovered, and cook until oranges and leeks are browning and liquid is syrupy, spooning liquid over the top twice, about 30 minutes more. If necessary, remove from oven and boil over high heat until liquid reaches desired consistency, about 1 minute more.

BRAISED ORANGE ROUGHY WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and sprinkle with sugar and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Reduce heat and cover and cook until very soft, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Season fish with salt and pepper. Arrange atop leeks. Add cream and vermouth. Cover and cook until fish is opaque, about 8 minutes. Transfer fish to plates and keep warm.
• Boil sauce until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top fish with sauce and leeks. Garnish with chives.

STRIPED BASS WITH ROASTED SHALLOT AND GARLIC PUREE AND LEEKS

Steps:

• For the fish, combine the peppers, sugar and rosemary. Use a sharp knife to make crosshatch marks on the skin of each fish fillet. Rub the spice mixture into the skin and marinate for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place garlic and shallots in a small baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and olive oil. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until soft, about 30 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Peel garlic and shallots and puree in a food processor with the heavy cream. Set aside.
• While garlic mixture roasts, make the leeks: Combine the water, sugar and lemon rind in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture turns a golden color. Have an oiled baking sheet ready. Stir the leeks into the caramel and immediately scrape onto the baking sheet. Cool. Separate the leeks and set aside.
• To make the vinaigrette, place all ingredients except the chives in a blender and blend until well combined. Stir in chives and set aside. Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the oil. When the pan is hot, add the fish, skin side down, and cook until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the fish and cook until the fish is firm to the touch, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Place even portions of the shallot and garlic puree in the center of 6 plates. Place the fish over the puree. Sprinkle with the caramelized leeks. Pour some of the vinaigrette on each plate in a circle around the fish. Serve immediately.