Roasted Monkfish With Fennel Saffron Compote Food

SWORDFISH WITH FENNEL-SAFFRON COMPOTE

Steps:

• Prepare an outdoor grill with a high fire.
• For the compote: Toast the pine nuts in the olive oil in a skillet over high heat, swirling the pan, until the nuts are golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a dish with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the oil behind in the pan. Add the onion, fennel, garlic, lemon peel, 1 1¿4 teaspoons salt, fennel seeds, saffron, and black pepper to taste and cook until the onion and fennel are slightly wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the raisins and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture browns and softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1¿4 cup water, pine nuts, and parsley. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid reduces and compote thickens, about 1 minute more. Set aside.
• For the fish: Brush fish with oil and sprinkle with the cayenne and salt to taste. Lay the fish on the grill and leave it until you can see distinct grill marks and can lift the fish without its sticking, about 2 minutes. (Test by gently lifting a corner; if it sticks, cook a bit longer.) When it lifts cleanly, rotate about 45 degrees from the original position (don't turn it over). Cook about another 2 minutes, until grill marks appear. Flip the fish and repeat this process for marking the fish on the other side, another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Cut the tomato into thick slices, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and divide among 4 plates. Place the fish on top of the tomato slices, spoon some compote over, and finish with a wedge of lemon.

ROASTED MONKFISH WITH FENNEL-SAFFRON COMPOTE

Steps:

• Using small sharp knife, trim all membrane and gray portions from monkfish fillets. Combine oil, garlic and saffron in large bowl. Add fish and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate, turning occasionally, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Arrange fish, with marinade still clinging, on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until fish feels firm to touch and is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Spoon Fennel-Saffron Compote onto plates. Slice fish on diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick medallions. Arrange atop compote.

MONKFISH ROASTED LIKE LAMB WITH GARLIC AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Using a very sharp knife, cut away the thin dark membrane that runs along the bottom of the monkfish tail. (If you can't get it all, carefully sever the membrane in two or three places to keep the tail from contracting as it cooks.)
• Cut three cloves of garlic into thin slivers. Using the point of a knife, cut tiny incisions all over the tail and push the garlic in.
• Trim the base of the fennel and pull off the outer layer of the bulb if it's stringy or discolored. Cut off the top, chopping the feathery greens for a garnish. Cut the bulb into quarters, then thinly slice those.
• Place half the butter in the bottom of a large roasting dish and place in the oven. When the butter is melted, arrange the fennel in the pan, then lay the monkfish on top. Season with salt and pepper and dot with the remaining butter. Cover with foil and roast for 35 minutes, basting twice.
• Remove the foil so the monkfish colors lightly. Baste once more and bake 10 minutes longer, or until the flesh is tender.
• Remove the pan from the oven. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fish to a serving platter, arrange the fennel around it and keep it warm. Pour the roasting juices into a small saucepan and add the fish stock. Boil rapidly until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Blend the mayonnaise with the minced garlic in a deep bowl. Remove the stock mixture from the heat and carefully whisk a ladleful into the mayonnaise. Pour the mayonnaise mixture back into the stock and reheat very gently, if necessary; do not boil.
• Slice the monkfish and spoon the sauce over. Sprinkle with the fennel leaves and serve at once.

FENNEL-SAFFRON COMPOTE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add fennel, onions and fennel seeds; cook until fennel and onions are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Add garlic; stir 2 minutes. Add wine, broth and saffron; simmer until thick, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring often, before using.)