Cobia Poached In Olive Oil With Jicama Avocado And Lemon Basil Granita Food

LEMON-BASIL GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine the sugar with 3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from the heat, and cool to room temperature.
• Add the basil to the sugar syrup and muddle the leaves with the base of a wooden spoon. Let steep for 1 hour. Strain the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish (discard the basil). Stir in the lemon juice and vodka, if using. Freeze until the mixture begins to set, about 2 hours. Scrape with a fork to form small crystals in the ice every 30 minutes to an hour until the mixture is fully frozen, about 1 hour more.
• Serve the granita in chilled glasses, garnished with the small basil leaves.

HALIBUT POACHED IN OLIVE OIL WITH BROCCOLI RABE PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli rabe and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked broccoli rabe to an ice bath and let cool, about 3 minutes. Shake off the excess water and transfer to a food processor. Add the garlic, walnuts, honey, salt, and pepper process until smooth. With the machine running gradually pour in the extra-virgin olive oil. Transfer the pesto to a small bowl and stir in the Parmesan. Cover and set aside.;
• In a medium, heavy skillet, heat the olive oil and vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Using a deep-fry thermometer, heat the oil to 200 degrees F. Reduce the heat to low to sustain the 200 degree F temperature. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Gently place the fish in the oil making sure it is submerged beneath the surface. Poach the fish until just cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes.;
• Place about 1/2 cup of Broccoli Rabe Pesto on a serving plate and gently smooth out to make a bed for the fish. Using a slotted fish spatula gently transfer the cooked fish from the poaching oil to the serving plate, placing the fish on top of the bed of pesto. Serve immediately.;

STRAWBERRY BASIL GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool, the mixture should be the consistency of maple syrup.
• Combine the strawberries and basil in a food processor and puree. Add the sugar mixture and pulse the machine to combine. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish, cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze for about 2 hours.
• When the edges begin to harden, use the tines of a fork to scrape them into bits. Repeat the procedure in 1 to 2 hours, and then occasionally thereafter, until the mixture is frozen through in "shavings." Freeze overnight.
• Spoon the granita into serving dishes and garnish each with a basil leaf, then serve.

LEMON VODKA GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine the lemon zest and juice, syrup and vodka and transfer to a metal 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Freeze for 4 hours.
• Remove baking pan from freezer and scrape surface with a spatula or fork to create large crystals. Transfer crystals to wine goblets and garnish with fresh berries and toasted almonds.
• Bring water and sugar to a boil and boil until sugar is dissolved. Cool to room temperature and transfer to a jar. Store in a cool pantry or refrigerate.

POACHED SQUID SALAD WITH LIME AND JICAMA

Steps:

• Place squid in medium saucepan. Strain hot court bouillon over the squid. Turn heat on low so that liquid steams but does not simmer, for 1 minute. Taste a squid ring: it should be just opaque and tender. If still chewy and translucent, cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute but no longer. Drain squid and place in large bowl. Place lime juice in small bowl and drizzle in olive oil while whisking so as to form an emulsion. Pour vinaigrette over squid and stir to combine. Add all remaining ingredients except cilantro and lettuce, and stir well. Can be served immediately or held up to one day in refrigerator. Stir in cilantro immediately before serving. Serve on leaves of Romaine lettuce arranged on chilled plates.
• Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium sauce pan, lower to a simmer, and cook 15 to 20 minutes. Strain hot court-bouillon over squid.

AVOCADO WITH LEMON AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Halve avocados lengthwise. Twist halves to separate them, and remove pits. Run a large spoon between the flesh and skin, scooping out the flesh in one piece; discard skins. Slice into wedges, and place avocados on a serving platter. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

COBIA WITH LEMON CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• In shallow dish, stir flour, salt and pepper. Coat fish pieces in flour mixture (reserve remaining flour mixture). In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Place coated fish in oil. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until fish flakes easily with fork; remove from heat. Lift fish from skillet to serving platter with slotted spatula (do not discard drippings); keep warm.
• Heat skillet (with drippings) over medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon reserved flour mixture; cook and stir 30 seconds. Stir in wine: cook about 30 seconds or until thickened and slightly reduced. Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Stir in capers.
• Serve sauce over fish; sprinkle with parsley.