German Perch Deutscher Barsch Food

POTATO GRATIN - GERMAN KARTOFFELGRATIN

Steps:

• For this amount of gratin, a 9 inch by 13 inch, buttered pan is a good choice. Peel the potatoes and slice by hand 1/8 inch thick. Do not do this in the food processor, since they slice too thin.
• Line up the potatoes in rows across the back of the pan. Alternate slices from different potatoes in the same row, and make sure each slice has been separated from its sister slice (make sure all slices have broken contact with each other, otherwise they cannot absorb the cream). See image.
• When the pan is getting full, you can push the rows back to a vertical position and fit more potatoes into the pan.
• Fill the pan one half to two thirds with cream, pouring over the potatoes. Salt (I start with one teaspoon) and pepper. You might want to sprinkle a little marjoram on it, fresh or dried, too.
• Bake in a heated oven (375°F) for one hour, then sprinkle the cheese on top and bake until the potatoes are very tender when poked with a fork.
• Notes: The baking time varies with the type of potato, elevation where you live and how hot your oven really is. It has always taken about 90 minutes for me, yet so many cookbooks say 45 minutes, it burns me up.
• This is not a low-fat food, but it does not work very well with milk, so maybe you will make it once or twice a year as a special treat. You may also leave off the cheese, if you want.
• You may cover the casserole with foil in the middle of baking time if it is becoming too brown. Remove it before you add the cheese.

MOHRENGEMUSE (GERMAN CARROT SIDE DISH)

Steps:

• Wash and peel carrots, then cut them into thick sticks.
• Heat a large sauce-pot over low heat and melt the butter and sugar together until the sugar caramelizes.
• Add the carrot sticks to the caramel mixture and stir to coat.
• Add the hot broth,cover, and let carrots steam 25-30 minutes over medium-low heat (after 15 minutes, remove the lid so the remaining liquid will evaporate.).
• Once the carrots are cooked enough to your liking, whisk in the cream, season to taste, and add the chopped parsley.
• Serve warm.

POACHED PERCH FILLETS (FILETS DE PERCHE)

Steps:

• To make poaching liquid, combine water, leek greens, pickling spice, and salt in a medium-sized pan.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Turn heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Rinse fish fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place fillets in a large frying pan, top with cooked leek greens, and pour 1 cup of poaching liquid over fish.
• Cover and allow to simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes.
• Scrape leek mixture from fish, remove fillets using a slotted spoon, and place them on a large serving platter.
• Keep platter of fish in a warm oven until ready to serve.
• Pour liquid from the pan through a fine sieve and reserve clear stock only.
• Place butter in a medium-sized pan over medium-high heat.
• Add white parts of leek and saute, stirring constantly until leeks are golden.
• Add flour and stir until flour is light brown.
• Add 1 cup of reserved fish stock, dill weed, and pepper.
• Stir to blend well.
• Remove from heat, add sour cream, and blend.
• Pour sauce over fish fillets.
• Optional: Sprinkle with chopped tomato pieces.