Seared Hake With Baby Potatoes And Green Sauce Food

SEARED FISH WITH CRISPY POTATOES AND GREEN SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover 2 pounds small red new potatoes (about 21) with cold water; season with coarse salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook just until tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 15 minutes. If saving for another day, drain and let cool; then cover and refrigerate for later use.
• Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Smash each potato with the base of your palm and place on sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast until crisp, about 20 minutes.
• Make green sauce. Chop remaining mint and basil and 1 bunch fresh parsley leaves. In a bowl, combine with 1 garlic clove, minced, and 1 tablespoon chopped capers. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and enough extra-virgin olive oil to coat; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. If saving for another day, cover and refrigerate for later use.
• Make roasted tomatoes. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees. Halve 14 plum tomatoes. On 2 large rimmed baking sheets, arrange tomatoes, cut side up, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Bake until softened and edges are crinkled, about 1 hour. If saving for another day, let cool. Cover and refrigerate for later use.
• Meanwhile, score fish skin in a few places with a paring knife and season fillets with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add fish, skin side down, and cook until browned and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; flip fish and cook until opaque throughout, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve fish with green sauce, potatoes, and tomatoes.

PAN-SEARED HAKE AND ASPARAGUS WITH AIOLI

Steps:

• Make the aioli: Combine garlic, lemon juice and salt in a blender or food processor, and let sit a minute or two. Add egg and yolk, and blend until combined. With the blender running, slowly add oil in a thin, steady stream. You're looking for an emulsified mixture, but it will be on the thin, saucelike side. Taste for seasoning, and add more salt and lemon juice, if needed. Stir in tarragon.
• Prepare the hake: Season hake with 3/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and paprika. Let sit while you cook the asparagus.
• Make the asparagus: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Stir in asparagus and a pinch of salt, and let cook without moving for 2 minutes to brown slightly. Add a tablespoon of water, cover and cook, shaking pan occasionally, until just tender, 2 to 5 minutes longer depending on thickness of stalks. Transfer to a plate and loosely tent with foil to keep warm.
• Return skillet to medium heat, and melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Place hake in an even layer in skillet, then scatter in scallions. Cover and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then flip and cook uncovered about another 3 to 4 minutes, until hake is cooked through and lightly browned on both sides. Transfer hake and scallions to serving plates, and immediately drizzle with aioli to taste. Serve with asparagus.