Whole Smoke Roasted Striped Bass And Rocket Pesto Recipes

SAUTEED STRIPED BASS WITH MINT PESTO AND SPICED CARROTS

Steps:

• For pesto:
• Blend mint leaves, pistachios, olive oil, and garlic in processor until coarse puree forms. Season with coarse salt. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring pesto to room temperature and stir before using.
• For fish:
• Combine olive oil, mint, and thyme in small bowl. Spread herb mixture all over both sides of fish fillets. Cover and refrigerate fish at least 3 hours and up to 5 hours.
• For spiced carrots:
• Stir all seeds in small dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer seeds to spice mill or mortar and grind coarsely.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots, crushed red pepper, and ground seeds; sauté until carrots begin to brown in spots, about 5 minutes. Add broth and lemon juice and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until carrots are tender, about 6 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in each of 2 large nonstick skillets over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook until browned on both sides and just opaque in center, about 5 minutes total.
• Rewarm carrots just until heated through. Divide carrots and any juices among 4 plates. Top each serving with 1 fish fillet. Spoon pesto over and serve.

WHOLE ROASTED BASS

Steps:

• Score the flesh of the fish from top to belly to 5 equal incisions from head to tail. Repeat this process on both sides. Season with salt and pepper on both sides and in the cavity. Make sure the seasoning is inside the incisions. Repeat this process with the herb oil. Place the fish on the barbecue and grill for about 15 minutes on each side. Be careful when turning the fish over and removing from the grill. The fish will be more delicate when it is cooked. For maximum flavor brush the fish with herb oil as soon as you remove it from the grill.
• Combine all ingredients. This can be prepared in advance and used for multiple recipes.

STRIPED BASS WITH PESTO

Steps:

• To make the pesto, place basil, parsley, garlic and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a food processor. Process until finely chopped. With the machine running, slowly pour in the remaining olive oil. Scrape down sides of bowl, add salt, and process until smooth.
• Using a serrated knife, cut four 2-inch slits across each side of the fish. Place the fish in a 14-by-9-by-2-inch oval dish. It is fine for the tail to hang over the edge of the dish. Rub about half of the pesto all over the fish, into the slits and inside the cavity. Reserve the remaining pesto to serve with the fish, or pasta if serving, or keep for another use.
• Cover the dish tightly with microwave plastic wrap, making sure the tail is well covered. Cook at 100 percent power in a high-power oven for 11 minutes. Prick plastic to release steam. Remove from oven and uncover. Serve immediately, spooning the liquid over the fish.

ROCKET PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the pine nuts, rocket, Parmesan, olive oil and garlic clove in a blender. Season and blend to a paste. Will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.