Fillet Of Sole Veronique Sauteed With Grapes Champagne And Cream Food

FILLETS OF SOLE VéRONIQUE

Steps:

• First peel the grapes well in advance by placing them in a bowl and pouring boiling water over them. Leave them for 45 seconds, then drain off the water and you will find the skins will slip off easily. Cut the grapes in half, remove the seeds, then return them to the bowl and cover and chill in the refrigerator until needed. When you are ready to start cooking the fish, begin by warming the serving dish and have a sheet of foil ready. Then wipe each of the 4 sole fillets and divide each one in half lengthways by cutting along the natural line, so you now have 8 fillets. Season them and roll each one up as tightly as possible, keeping the skinned side on the inside and starting the roll at the narrow end. Next put a faint smear of butter on the base of a medium frying pan and arrange the sole fillets in it. Then sprinkle in the tarragon followed by the vermouth. Now place the pan on a medium heat and bring it up to simmering point. Cover, then put a timer on and poach the fillets for 3-4 minutes, depending on their thickness. While the fish is poaching pre-heat the grill to its highest setting. Meanwhile take a small saucepan, melt the butter in it, stir in the flour to make a smooth paste and let it cook gently, stirring all the time, until it has become a pale straw colour. When the fish is cooked transfer the fillets with a fish slice to the warmed dish, cover with foil and keep warm. Reserve the poaching liquid. Next boil the fish-poaching liquid in its pan until it has reduced to about a third of its original volume. Stir in the cream and let that come up to a gentle simmer, then gradually add this cream and liquid mixture to the flour and butter mixture in the small saucepan, whisking it in well until you have a thin, creamy sauce. Taste and season with salt and freshly milled black pepper. Pour the sauce over the fish and pop it under the pre-heated grill (about 4 inches from the source of the heat) and leave it there for approximately 3 minutes, until it is glazed golden brown on top. Serve each portion on to warmed serving plates, garnished with grapes.

SNAPPER VERONIQUE

Steps:

• Rinse snapper and pat dry with a paper towel. Combine flour and salt and pepper to taste on a plate or a piece of wax paper. Dip the fillets into the flour, covering all sides. Shake off excess and set aside.
• Spray a large nonstick skillet with olive oil spray and add spinach. Saute, stirring on medium high until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, divide in half and place on two dinner plates. Add the olive oil to the pan. Lower heat to medium and add fillets. Saute on one side 5 minutes. Turn and saute 3 minutes more. Place one fillet on top of spinach on each plate.
• Raise the heat to medium high and add the vermouth, water and grapes. Cook 1 minute. Mix cornstarch into cream and add to sauce. Cook, stirring until sauce thickens, about 30 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce and grapes over fish.

SOLE VERONIQUE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Rinse fish, pat dry and season with salt and pepper.
• Place fish in pan and pour wine, lemon juice, and melted butter over the fish.
• Sprinkle on the shallots.
• Cover the pan with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Pour drippings from fish into saucepan and reduce slightly.
• Add half and half.
• Cut the 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of butter together with a fork.
• Add the flour/butter mixture to the fish drippings and stir until it thickens.
• Remove saucepan from heat and add peeled grapes.
• Pour sauce with the grapes over fish.

FLOUNDER WITH CHAMPAGNE GRAPES

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 250°F.
• Rinse fish and pat dry. Season both sides of fillets with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until it begins to smoke, then sauté 2 fillets, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes total. Transfer with a slotted spatula to a platter and keep warm, uncovered, in oven. Add more oil if necessary, and sauté remaining 2 fillets in same manner, transferring to platter.
• Add shallot to skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add vermouth and simmer, scraping up any brown bits, 1 minute. Add grapes and cook over low heat, swirling skillet, until just heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat and add butter, swirling until incorporated. Add lemon juice and season sauce with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce with grapes over fish and serve immediately.