Skate Wing With Brown Butter Food

SKATE WINGS WITH BROWN BUTTER, PRESERVED LEMON AND ALMOND SAUCE WITH WILTED RED SWISS CHARD WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Season skate with salt and pepper and dredge the skate on 1 side in the flour and tap off the excess. Sear the skate flour-side down until golden brown. Turn over and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the skate to a plate, wipe out the pan, and return over high heat. Add the butter and cook until golden brown, add the preserved lemons, almonds and parsley, season with salt and pepper and immediately pour over the fish.
• Serve with Wilted Swiss Chard with Raisins.
• Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a medium non-reactive saucepan. Add lemons and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain, plunge into cold water, let cool then drain again. When cool enough to handle, cut each lemon into quarters.
• While the lemons are cooling, prepare the brine. In a medium non-reactive saucepan combine 6 cups of water, the salt, cinnamon, coriander and peppercorns. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and cook until the salt has melted. Tightly pack the lemons into hot, dry, sterilized jars with lids.
• Ladle in the hot brine, including the spices, to within 1/2 inch of the rims. Add the olive oil and cover with the lids. Store in a cool, dark place. Let stand for 2 months before using. Once opened, store in the refrigerator.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the Swiss chard and currants, season with salt and pepper and cook until the chard is wilted. Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar.

SKATE WING WITH BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Set the oven to warm or the lowest temperature. Have a baking sheet or oven-safe platter ready for the fish. Remove the skate wings from the refrigerator and salt lightly. Let stand for 15 minutes.
• Heat a skillet over high heat for 3 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium-high and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan.
• Meanwhile, dredge the skate wings in flour and shake off the excess.
• Fry in the butter over medium heat, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Be careful when turning the fish, as their odd muscle structure makes them difficult to flip without breaking.
• Transfer the skate wings to the baking sheet and place in the warm oven.
• Add the 2 remaining tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Cook over medium heat until the butter is light brown in color. Keep a close eye on the pan as this will not take too long, and you don't want the butter to burn.
• Add the wine to the skillet (it will splatter, so be careful). Scrape up any bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pan and cook off the alcohol, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Plate the fish and pour the sauce over the skate wings. Garnish with the chives and serve immediately.

SKATE WITH BROWN BUTTER, HONEY AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place some flour on a plate, and season with salt and pepper. Put oil in skillet so that it coats the bottom well, and turn heat to high. When oil shimmers, dredge skate lightly in flour, shaking to remove excess, and add it to pan. You may need to cook the skate in two batches.
• Cook until skate is nicely browned on first side, about 5 minutes, then turn. Cook on second side, adjusting heat so fish does not burn, until it is firm to touch, 3 minutes more or so. Reduce heat to medium, and remove skate to a warm platter.
• Add butter and honey to pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbly and brown, about 2 minutes. Add capers, and swirl them around, then pour sauce over fish. Immediately add vinegar to pan that butter was in, swirl it around, and pour it over fish. Garnish with parsley, and serve.