Steamed Halibut With Rosemary Served With Parsnip Purée Food

PARSNIP PUREE

Steps:

• Put parsnips in a pot, season with salt and cover with milk and cream. Add garlic, bay and thyme then place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook until tender, the tip of a paring knife should easily go through without resistance - about 12 to 15 minutes.
• Place parsnips in a food processor with butter and pour in enough of the milk mixture to puree the parsnips and achieve the texture of whipped cream. Season with salt and pepper then finish with a sprinkle of parsley.

STEAMED HALIBUT WITH COCONUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Special equipment: a large bamboo steamer
• In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the coconut milk, lime juice, garlic, lemongrass, serrano, turbinado sugar and fish sauce. Whisk it all together, then bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve. Remove the lemongrass before serving.
• Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water and bring to a light boil over medium heat. Line a bamboo steamer with parchment paper. Sprinkle the halibut with salt and place in the steamer. Cover the steamer and set it over the pot of boiling water. Steam until the fish is cooked through and tender, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Transfer the fillets to shallow bowls and top each serving with about 1/2 cup of the coconut sauce. Garnish with a cilantro sprig and serve.
• Cook's Note: Cod or sea bass can be substituted for halibut.

BROILED HALIBUT WITH RICOTTA-PEA PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil and preheat 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, brush the carrots and onion with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Brush the fish with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the paprika; brush to coat the fish evenly with paprika.
• Carefully remove the pan from the oven, place the fish in the center and scatter the onion and carrots around. Broil until the fish is golden and just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, microwave the peas in a bowl with 1/4 cup water until just tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer the peas and liquid to a food processor and pulse with the ricotta, butter and a pinch of salt to make a slightly chunky puree. Divide the puree among plates and top with the fish, carrots, onion and pan juices.

ROAST FILLET OF SEA BASS WITH PARSNIP PURéE & CARAMELISED GARLIC

Steps:

• For the crisps, peel parsnips and slice lengthways, using a mandolin to slice as thinly as possible. Deep-fry in hot oil until crisp. Drain on kitchen towels to absorb any excess fat and set aside in a dry place. Can be made up to 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container.
• For the caramelised garlic, peel the shallots and garlic. Blanch the shallots in boiling salted water for 10 mins or until tender. Cut them in half if large and drain well. Put the garlic in a small saucepan of boiling salted water, bring to the boil for 2 mins, then drain and change the water. Repeat 4 times and drain well. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, add the shallots and garlic and cook until caramelised, shaking the pan so they don't stick. Can be made in the morning and reheated.
• For the purée, peel the parsnips and cut them into big chunks. Cook in boiling salted water until tender. Bring the milk to the boil and set aside. Drain the parsnips well, then put in a blender with the butter and some of the boiled milk and blend until totally smooth: the purée should be the consistency of double cream, so add more milk if necessary. Season and keep warm or make ahead and reheat.
• Scale and fillet the fish. Remove any pin bones (or ask your fishmonger to do this, but keep the bones for the sauce). Rinse under cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper. Score the skin of the fish several times with a sharp knife to help prevent it from curling during cooking. Leave the bones (but not the heads) to soak in cold water.
• To make the sauce, heat a little olive oil in a pan and cook the shallots for about 5 mins until golden and soft. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook for 10 mins, stirring occasionally. Drain the fish bones, add to the pan and cook for 5-6 mins. Add the vinegar and let it come to the boil for 3 mins, then add the stock, season lightly and simmer for 30 mins, skimming at regular intervals. Pass through a fine sieve into a clean pan, bring back to the boil and whisk in the butter to thicken and gloss the sauce.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan until smoking hot, add a few drops of oil, then add the fish, skin side down. Season with salt and pepper and press the fish down with a palette knife if it begins to curl up. Once the skin is well browned, turn the fillets over and cook the other side; the whole process should take no more than 5-6 mins, depending on the thickness of the fish. To serve, spoon the purée on to warmed plates, make a hollow in the centre, and fill with the caramelised garlic and shallots. Pour the sauce around the purée, place the fish on top and add a few parsnip crisps for garnish.

HALIBUT WITH ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Coat with flour.
• Heat oil in frying pan over medium heat. Arrange fish in a single layer in pan. Cook, turning once, until fish is brown and flaky, app. 5 minutes per side.
• Remove fish to a warm platter. To pan, add vinegar, garlic, rosemary, and water. Boil until reduced by half; remove garlic. Spoon sauce over fish.