Pan Seared Barramundi With Caruru Food

PAN-SEARED CALAMARI WITH SPICY MARINARA OVER LINGUINE

Steps:

• Cook linguine according to package directions.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet and a small saucepot. To both, add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add calamari to the skillet and cook 2 minutes. Then to both, add pasta sauce and crushed red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes, until calamari is tender. Reserve tomato sauce in the saucepot for another meal.
• Transfer linguine to a serving platter. Spoon all of the calamari and tomato sauce over linguine. Garnish with basil, if desired.

PAN-FRIED BARRAMUNDI

Steps:

• Rinse barramundi and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub with lemon zest.
• Sift flour onto waxed paper. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the flour. Cover both sides of the barramundi with the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour.
• Heat olive oil and canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place barramundi in the skillet, skin side-down. Cook until lightly golden in color, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate using a broad spatula. Drizzle with truffle oil. Garnish with 1/4 of the lemon slices.

MAIN CHALLENGE: GRILLED BARRAMUNDI WITH WASABI SAUTEED SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS IN AN ASIAN BROTH

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons sesame oil over medium heat. To pan, add the chopped shrimp, chopped scallops, shallots and garlic. Cook until lightly golden. Add the mirin, soy sauce, rice vinegar and simmer about 5 minutes. Stir in the water and 1 cup cilantro and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer the broth until reduced by 1/3, about 20 minutes. Strain liquid and discard solids. Reserve the liquid.
• Preheat grill or grill pan.
• Combine the remaining cilantro, the basil, green onions and carrot in a bowl. Set aside.
• Season the fillets with salt and pepper. Grill until tender and flakes easily. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss the whole shrimp and scallops in wasabi and season with salt and pepper. In a medium saute pan, heat remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium heat. Cook the whole shrimp and scallops until golden on both sides. Set aside.
• Place 1/4 teaspoon of the chili sauce in the bottom of each soup bowl. Ladle some of the broth into each bowl. Stir to gently mix the broth and the chili sauce. Lay 1 fillet of fish into the broth, then surround the fish with 1 shrimp and 1 scallop. Garnish with chopped cilantro, basil, green onions and carrot mixture. Serve immediately.

CRISPY PAN SEARED BARRAMUNDI WITH FISH SAUCE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine the fish sauce, water, sugar, vinegar, chiles and garlic in a bowl and mix until the sugar is dissolved, then set aside until you're ready to cook the fish.. This vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days ahead, covered and chilled. When ready to cook the fish, add the cilantro and Thai basil to the vinaigrette and stir to combine.
• Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet (well-seasoned cast iron works best) over medium-high heat. Use paper towels to pat the barramundi fillets very dry, being sure to remove as much moisture as possible. Season both sides with salt.
• When the oil is shimmering and almost smoking, gently place two fillets in the pan. Allow to cook in the hot oil without moving for about 3 minutes. The fish will be ready to flip when it easily releases from the pan. If it sticks, it's not ready. Lower the heat and give it another minute. Use a fish spatula to gently flip the fillets and cook on the other side for another 2-3 minutes, depending on thickness. Transfer to a serving plate and repeat with remaining fillets.
• Top each fillet with a few tablespoons of vinaigrette and more herbs if desired. Serve immediately with plain steamed rice and your choice of vegetables.