Swordfish With Fennel Saffron Compote Food

SWORDFISH AND CAPONATA DI MELANZANES

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 3/4 cup of olive oil over a medium flame. Add the anchovies and garlic to the hot oil. Using a wooden spoon, press the anchovies to break them up. They will appear to dissolve in the oil. Toss in the eggplant and cook until golden on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the eggplant from the oil and drain on paper towels.
• Pour the excess oil from the pan and discard. Add 1/2 cup of the remaining olive oil to the pan and heat over a medium flame. Toss in the onion and chili flakes and saute until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Hand-crush the tomatoes into the pan and stir well. Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes and then return the eggplant to the pan.
• Add the black olives, capers, raisins, and pine nuts to the pan, stir well, and sprinkle with the sugar and vinegar. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir; taste and then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and simmer until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, coat the swordfish fillets in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, and basil. Marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Heat a grill pan over a medium flame, and brush with oil to prevent the fish from sticking. Season the fish with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and then place in the pan. Sear on both sides for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through (opaque in the center). Serve immediately with a generous spoonful of the caponata.

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.)

SAUTEED SWORDFISH WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Quarter fennel and cut awaytough base. Slice quarters thin.
• Using a small saute pan, nonstick if possible, heat one tablespoon olive oil and add the fennel, garlic and ginger. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, over moderate heat until the fennel is tender (about 10 minutes). Remove to a heated plate and keep warm.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil. Season swordfish with salt and pepper and cook on both sides until lightly browned and cooked to desired degree.
• Cut the steak in half. Place each half on an individual plate with the sauteed fennel on the side. Garnish with lemon and serve.

SWORDFISH WITH LEMON AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, cut the skin off the swordfish, then cut the fish into 1-inch cubes. Season fish cubes generously with salt and pepper.
• Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a heavy knife, lightly crush the fennel seeds to release their flavor.
• In a skillet large enough to hold all the fish cubes in one layer, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter melts. Add the fish to the pan and let cook, turning the fish and basting with the oil and butter, for 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, fennel seeds, lemon zest and chile flakes and continue to cook, stirring gently so as not to break up the fish cubes, until the fish is just cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Gently stir in the lemon juice. Taste and add more salt and chile flakes if desired. Garnish with fennel fronds and lemon wedges.