Butter Poaching Technique Food

BUTTER POACHED FISH

Steps:

• Heat two tablespoons of the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped shallots and cook until they are translucent. Make sure that the butter does not brown. Add lemon juice and remaining butter.
• When the butter has melted, add the fish. Gently place the fish into the pan. The cooking liquid should cover the fish 2/3 up the side of the fish. Turn the temperature high and allow the fish to cook for three minutes once the cooking liquid begins to boil. Turn the heat down and allow to cook on low for an additional minute.
• Finish the recipe with a touch of sea salt!

BUTTER-POACHED SPOT PRAWNS WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Carefully peel prawns (the barbs on the tail are sharp) and reserve roe; discard shells or reserve for making seafood stock. Set prawns and roe aside.
• Bring large pot of water to boil. Generously salt boiling water and return to boil. Add Israeli couscous and cook according to package directions; drain and transfer to large bowl. Set aside.
• Bring another large pot of water to boil. Generously salt boiling water and return to boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook until tender but still crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Place half of the cauliflower florets in the jar of a blender. With the motor running, slowly add 1 cup cooking liquid. Blend until cauliflower is pureed and the consistency of thick gravy.
• Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and shallot and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add cauliflower and cook, stirring, until edges begin to brown and caramelize, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Transfer cauliflower to bowl with Israeli couscous and stir in chopped parsley and chives; set aside.
• Place parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf in a piece of cheesecloth; tie with a piece of kitchen twine to enclose. Place in a medium saucepan along with heavy cream. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat for 20 minutes; remove cheesecloth packet and discard. Add butter and whisk until melted and well combined; season with salt and pepper. Add reserved prawn roe and stir to combine.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and add prawns. Cook just until flesh turns pink, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
• To serve, spoon cauliflower puree in the center of each of four plates. Spoon couscous mixture on top of puree; top each with three prawns. Spoon some of the poaching liquid over prawns and garnish with cilantro, parsley, mint leaves, and chives. Spoon charmoula around cauliflower puree; serve immediately.

BUTTER-POACHED HALIBUT

Steps:

• Clarify the butter: Preheat oven to 350 F. In a 4-quart, oven-safe saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and bring to a simmer, 5-7 minutes. Once white foam (milk solids) begins to form on the top, skim it off with a small ladle or spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue skimming the milk solids until the butter is clear. Pour the clarified butter through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to catch the smaller milk solids. Set aside to cool to 155 F.
• Poach the fish: Season the fish on all sides with salt, about ¼ teaspoon per fillet. Gently lower the halibut into the clarified butter so all four fillets are submerged. Place the fish in the oven and bake, uncovered, 8 minutes.
• Assemble the dish: Fish is done when it's firm but not hard to the touch. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fish, drain off the butter, and plate. Serve with lemon wedges, crunchy salt, and dill.