Crispy Skin Fish Fillets With Wilted Escarole Food

WILTED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Remove the tough outer leaves of the escarole and twist from the core, discard. Wash in a deep bowl filled with very cold water and swish around until all the dirt has rested on the bottom of the bowl. Lift the leaves from the bowl and spin dry in small batches in a salad spinner.
• Heat the butter, oil, and pepper flakes in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the escarole and stir until just wilted. Add the remaining escarole and cook until softened but still has a little crunch. Season with the salt and serve.
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CRISPY-SKIN FISH FILLETS WITH WILTED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with plastic wrap. Arrange fish, skin side up, on sheet. Spread coarse salt generously on skin to coat completely. Chill uncovered 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 475°F. Rinse salt off fish; pat until very dry. Place fish, skin side up, on work surface. Using large knife with edge of blade perpendicular to skin, scrape surface of skin to remove any moisture, wiping blade clean often. Using razor blade, score skin in 1-inch crosshatch squares. Sprinkle with pepper.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in each of 2 large ovenproof skillets over high heat. Add 2 fillets, skin side down, to each skillet. Sear until skin is crisp and brown, about 4 minutes. Place skillets in oven (do not turn fish) and roast until fish is just opaque in center, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Add escarole and toss until beginning to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar and toss. Season with salt and pepper.
• Mound escarole in center of 4 plates. Top with fish, skin side up. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar.

PAN SEARED SEABASS WITH WHITE BEAN RAGOUT, BRAISED ESCAROLE AND TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Discard the water from the soaked beans.
• In a large saucepot, render the pancetta. Add the beans and 5 cups of water. Simmer for 45 minutes. Strain the beans, reserve the liquid and discard the pancetta. Set aside.
• In the same pot, heat the olive oil. Saute all the vegetables until the onions are transparent.
• In a small bowl, dilute the tomato paste in the remaining 1/2 cup of water. Add to the vegetables. Add the spinach, the reserved bean liquid and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add the beans, season with salt and pepper. Reduce by 1/4. Reserve.
• Prepare the Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and toss gently. Reserve.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the fish fillets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place a medium saute pan over high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and saute the fish, skin side down for 2 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake until done, about 5 to 6 minutes. Do not turn the fish to ensure a crispy skin.
• Prepare the escarole. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil. Saute the escarole until wilted. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, lay out 4 large soup plates and ladle 6 ounces of the white bean ragout on each plate. Lay 2 spears of escarole cross-wise. With a metal spatula, carefully place a fillet, skin side up, on top of the escarole. Spoon tomato vinaigrette across the fillet. Serve immediately.

WILTED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Escarole is a winter green my father served to me raw in a salad. I always struggled with the underlying toughness of the leaves. I would smile and gulp down a lot of water while eating them! My favorite treatment for them now is to drop them in a hot pan with a splash of olive oil and a touch of chili flakes. The "fork-garlic clove" trick adds a nice, light garlic flavor! They will lose a lot of volume so don't be afraid to overload the pan and watch it wilt. Cook for only a few minutes and serve immediately.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the escarole and season lightly with salt and chili flakes. Cook the escarole, stirring, from time to time, with the fork, until they are completely wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. This will allow a "hint" of garlic to touch the greens without overwhelming them. Drain and discard any liquid. Transfer the leaves to a kitchen towel and dry them off, slightly, before transferring them to a platter. Serve immediately.