Sea Bass with Hot Paprika Vinaigrette
Servings
4
Prep Time
1 hour
Cook Time
7-12 minutes
"The fish here is poached in a rather classic mix of wine and stock. What makes the recipe sing is the hot paprika vinaigrette. It couldn’t be easier to make, but a generous drizzle of it gives a delicate fillet of fish spice, heat, and a heady infusion of garlic. It also adds a trail of striking, burnished red. At the restaurant, this fish is served with spinach and grilled bread. At home, I often replace with bread with couscous, which I also drizzle with the paprika vinaigrette. Chilean sea bass, is not technically a bass, but a Patagonian toothfish. (It is rumored that when given the arguably more chic name of Chilean sea bass, Patagonia toothfish tripled in both price and popularity.) It has since become over-fished. That said, you might easily substitute black sea bass, striped bass, or even black cod (also known as sablefish) with equally delicious results—these choices are not only more reasonable in cost, but also, at present, more ecologically sound. I crave this recipe after a few nights of rich food. It is simple, healthy, and vivid in flavor. Serve over cooked chard, if you like."
Reprinted with permission from The London Cookbook by Aleksandra Crapanzano (@aleksandracrapanzano). Ten Speed Press © 2016.
Aleksandra Crapanzano | Sam and Sam Clark of Moro
Ingredients
8 cups fish stock
1 cup white wine
2 tsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, quartered
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley
-
2 bay leaves, preferably fresh
5 cloves garlic, peeled
-
5 peppercorns
Salt, if needed
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
-
4 cloves garlic, sliced
3 Tbsp good red wine vinegar
-
1 Tbsp sweet paprika, preferably smoked
-
2 tsp hot paprika, preferably smoked
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 fillets Chilean sea bass, sea bass, or black cod, about 6 ounces each
A handful of fresh herbs, finely chopped, such as parsley, cilantro, and chives
4 slices warm toasted or grilled crusty bread, for serving
Poaching Stock
Vinaigrette
Fish & Herbs
Directions
To make the poaching stock, pour the fish stock into a wide braising pot, a fish poacher, or a roasting pan. Pour in the wine and olive oil and toss in onion, parsley, bay leaves, garlic, and peppercorns. If the stock is unsalted, add a spoonful or two of salt. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, until the flavors meld. You can, of course, do this a few hours ahead of time. The taste will only improve if left to sit a while. Do make sure you have enough liquid to submerge the fish. Add a bit more stock or water as needed—the amount will depend on the size of the pan.
While the stock is simmering, make the vinaigrette. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the garlic and sauté until just golden. Turn off the heat and move the pan to another, cooler burner. Pour in the vinegar, with caution as it will spit and spatter. Keeping the pan off the heat, stir in the paprikas and watch as they dissolve, turning the oil a burnished red. Add a few pinches of sea salt and grinds of pepper. Return the pan to the still-warm burner, keeping the heat off and letting it sit as you poach the fish.
Bring the poaching stock to a lazy simmer and gently lower the fish fillets into the liquid. Poach the fish until it just starts to flake when nudged with a fork—this may take as little as 7 or 8 minutes or as long as 11 or 12, depending on the thickness of the fillet. A center-cut piece may have twice the girth of one closer to the tail.
Remove the fish to a platter or plates. Heat up the vinaigrette for a few seconds and give it a last stir.
Spoon a tablespoon or two of the poaching liquid over each fillet, followed by a generous drizzle of the paprika vinaigrette. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, cilantro, or chives to add further color.
Serve with thick slices of warm toasted or grilled crusty bread, also drizzled with vinaigrette.
Supermarket
Fair Trade