Mayan Citrus Salsa Xec With Red Snapper Food

ESCOVITCH SNAPPER

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or cast-iron skillet to 350 degrees F.
• Score the fish on both sides with a knife. Sprinkle inside and out with the Seafood Spice Rub. Coat in batter if using (see Cook's Note).
• Fry the fish until the skin, or batter, is crispy, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Serve with Escovitch Dressing.
• In a food processor, pulse together the pimento seeds, adobo, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, black pepper and white pepper. Add the olive oil and process until the mixture has a deep red color, about 45 seconds.
• Combine the vinegar and 3 cups water in a saucepan. Add the sugar, pimento seeds and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Add the carrots, onions, peppers and thyme. Remove the pan from the heat and let the vegetables cook slightly in the hot liquid (they should still be firm).

MAYA CITRUS SALSA WITH RED SNAPPER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Cut orange in half horizontally and section it as you would a grapefruit; do this over a bowl to capture all its juice. Remove seeds and combine flesh and juice in bowl. Repeat with grapefruit and lemon. Stir in cilantro, habanero and salt.
• Put oil in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. A minute later, add fish, skin side down; season top with salt. Cook until skin begins to crisp, 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to oven. Cook another 3 or 4 minutes, or until a thin-bladed knife meets little resistance when inserted into thickest part of fish. Serve fish with xec, immediately.

RED SNAPPER WITH CITRUS SALSA

Steps:

• Toss oranges, lemon, shallot, chile, cilantro, lime zest and juice, oil, honey, and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a bowl. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes, gently stirring occasionally.
• Fill a wok or large pot with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil. Line bottom basket of a 10-inch, 2-tiered round bamboo steamer with parchment paper. (Alternatively, use two pots fitted with steamer inserts.) Season fish using remaining 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer in bottom basket. Cover, and set over boiling water. Steam until fish is almost cooked through, about 5 minutes. Put spinach into top basket, and set over bottom basket. Steam until spinach is bright green and just wilted, about 2 minutes more.
• Divide spinach among 4 plates. Top each with fish and 1/2 cup salsa. Serve remaining salsa on the side.