Braised Fennel And Line Caught Lagoon Fish Food

FISH AND FENNEL STEW

Steps:

• In a stock pot over medium heat, add the olive oil, onions, fennel, bay leaf and season with a pinch of salt and a grind or two of pepper. Cook, stirring, until both the fennel and the onions are very tender, but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Cook's Note: Be careful to not break up the bay leaf during this process.
• Add the lemon slices, garlic, and tomato paste stirring to combine. Cook until the tomato paste turns a deep reddish brown, then add the tomato slices and season with another pinch of salt. Allow to sit and bubble a bit, then stir, repeating until the tomatoes are completely broken down and some moisture has evaporated from the pot, about 10 minutes.
• Add the wine and scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer uncovered until most of the wine has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add the fish stock, raise to a simmer and nuzzle the fish into the pot, and simmer until fish is cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve warm with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

BROWN STEW FISH

Steps:

• Heat a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
• Deep-fry the whole snapper until lightly brown, approximately 4 minutes.
• Saute the onion, pepper, thyme, 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup of oil in a large saute pan, for about 2 minutes. Add fish sauce and the fried fish. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add the tomato, and let simmer for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and place on a serving platter.

CRISPY WHOLE GULF FISH

Steps:

• For the ketchup: To a small saucepot add the peppers, tomatoes, garlic, guava paste, onions, sugar, vinegar, crushed red pepper and salt. Simmer until the liquid begins to thicken to a hot syrup consistency. Add to a counter-top blender or use an immersion blender and puree.
• For the onions: You can make these on a grill over open flame with a perforated pan. You can also make them in a saute pan. To make over a grill, toss the sliced onions in a bowl with oil, sugar, vinegar and some salt and pepper. Allow to marinate for about 20 minutes. Pour into a perforated pan and place directly on the grill over the flame. Stir constantly until all the onions are cooked and golden brown. To make in a saute pan, add the oil to a hot pan and then add the onion. Stir occasionally to allow the onions to caramelize, then deglaze with the cane vinegar. Remove from the heat and finish with the brown sugar and some salt and pepper. Let cool.
• For the potatoes: Rinse and quarter the red potatoes. Season 8 cups water with the seafood boil spice and bring to a rapid boil. Add the potatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from the water and let cool.
• For the greens: In another shallow saute pan, add the butter and place over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted and sizzling, add the minced garlic. Let the garlic toast to a light golden brown, and then add the greens. Stir to coat the greens with the garlic. Add the cane vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Toss just to wilt the greens and remove from the heat.
• For the fish: To clean the snapper, the first thing you want to do is scale and gut the fish. Then use a pair of scissors to remove the gills and all the fins from the outside of the fish. Cut an "X" on both sides of the snapper.
• Place the vegetable oil in a shallow frying pan and place on medium heat. The oil should reach about 350 degrees F.
• While the oil is heating, sprinkle both sides of the fish with the Creole seasoning and some salt and pepper. Then dredge in the seafood breading. Be careful not to bread too heavily. Bend the fish so it will look like it is swimming when it comes out the fryer. Cook the crab boiled potatoes in the oil with the fish until crisp and golden brown.
• To serve, quickly heat the barbequed onions in the pan. Toss with the garlic wilted greens and crab boiled potatoes. Place the onions, greens and potatoes on the bottom of the plate and fish in the center of the plate and drizzle with the guava ketchup. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.

BRAISED FENNEL AND PARSNIPS

Steps:

• In a heavy large saute pan, heat the oil on medium-high heat. Add the parsnips and onions and saute for about 1 minute. Add the garlic, fennel and poblanos and saute for another 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and stout beer and bring to a boil. Add the bay leaf, rosemary sprig and thyme sprig. Lower to a simmer and cover. Cook on low heat until the vegetables are soft and cooked through, about 40 minutes.
• Remove the vegetables from the cooking liquid. Reduce the cooking liquid to 1 cup. Drizzle the reduced liquid over the vegetables and top with the chopped thyme and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, mixing well to evenly incorporate. Serve immediately.

BROILED FISH WITH BRAISED FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season the fish with salt and pepper, the juice of half a lemon and place the leaves from the fennel bulbs in the cavity. Dot with butter and close the cavity. Set aside at room temperature.
• Cut the fennel into quarters. Butter a baking dish, add a dash of oil and cover with a piece of foil. Cook the fennel for about 20 minutes, or until browned and tender.
• When the fennel is almost done, broil the fish for a few minutes on each side (the length of time will depend upon the thickness of the flesh). Serve on a large heated platter, with the pieces of fennel arranged around the fish.

BRAISED FENNEL WITH FRESH FIGS

Steps:

• Chop the onion and two of the figs coarsely and put them in a saucepan large enough to hold all the fennel. Add the chicken stock and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, cut the dark green ends away from the fennel and reserve for other use or discard. Cut the rest lengthwise into quarters and add them to the pan.
• Cover the pan tightly and let the fennel cook at a very low simmer until it is tender, about 30 minutes. (Note: It is not necessary to cover the fennel with liquid; it will cook evenly in the tightly covered pan.)
• Remove the fennel from the pan juices.
• Puree the pan juices in a food processor or blender, adding lemon juice to taste. Taste for seasoning.
• To serve, cut the tips from the remaining figs and cut them lengthwise into thin slices, leaving them attached at the base. They will fall open into a fan shape. Place one at the edge of each of eight small salad plates.
• Overlap two fennel quarters at the center and spoon some of the puree over the fennel.
• Garnish the rest of the plate with a handful of greens and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.