Best Crisp Sea Bass With Minted Fennel Radish Salad Recipes

RADISH AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• The quantities of this salad are really up to you, but I look for roughly 2 parts fennel to 1 part radish. When buying radishes look for those that are really firm. The longer, oval-shaped ones are really nice. Wash them and slice thinly. Fennel comes in two types: the thinner Fennel and a rounder, fatter variety. It is the rounder, fatter fennel buds that you want -- these are normally much more well packed, less stringy and generally have a lot more of the green tops, which you need.
• Cut the tops and the excess stalk off the top of the fennel and set aside. Trim the bottom of the bulb in half and slice as thinly as possible from the root to the top. Put the radishes and the fennel into a bowl and cover with cold water, adding some ice. Leave for at least 15 minutes to get the radishes and fennel really, really crispy. Drain, spin them or pat them dry, put into a bowl and dress them with olive oil and lemon juice dressing. Chop the fennel tops and sprinkle them on top. This is great with grilled fish.

CRISP SEA BASS WITH BRAISED ENDIVE AND AGED BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Season the fish to taste with salt and pepper. Combine egg and cream to make an egg wash. Brush 1 side of the fillets with egg wash, then cover the egg wash side of fillets with bread crumb or cereal, and press down firmly. In a hot saute pan add 3 tablespoons oil. Place the fillets into the pan breaded side down. Cook for 2 minutes. Turn fillets over add the thyme and cook for approximately 2 minutes more, or until fillets are cooked, remove from pan. Meanwhile place 2 tablespoons oil into a hot pan, when the oil starts to smoke, add the endive. Toss the endive. Add the spice mix and the chives. Cook for 1 minute then remove from the heat. Place the endive in the center of 4 plates. Place the fish on top of the endive. Drizzle the chive oil around then the balsamic vinegar. Garnish with chives.

CRISP SWIMMING FISH

Steps:

• Place the fish on a chopping board. Cut 5 slits diagonally into each side of the fish, but do not cut to the bone. Sprinkle vinegar all over, inside and out. Repeat with the wine, salt, and white pepper. Place the cornstarch on a sheet of wax paper and coat the fish thoroughly on both sides, including the cleaning opening.
• Heat a wok over high heat for 40 seconds. Pour the oil into the wok and heat to 375 degrees F to 400 degrees F. Place the fish in a Chinese strainer and lower into the oil. (If it cannot be lowered completely, ladle oil over it and tip the strainer so the fish is completely cooked, brown and crisp, including the head.) Fry for 10 to 12 minutes, until cooked.
• Remove to a heated serving dish. Use a cloth to protect your hands and place the fish upright, stomach and cleaning opening down. Press it down gently so that it is firmly set. Reserve. Empty all but 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil from the wok.
• In a bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside. Heat the wok for 20 seconds. Add the onion, stir, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the ginger and stir briefly. Add the chilies, carrot, and bamboo shoot. Stir the sauce, add to the wok and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Pour it over the fish, sprinkle with the scallion, garnish with the coriander, and serve.

SHAVED RADISH, FENNEL, AND PARMESAN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together oil, lemon juice, and mustard and season with salt and pepper.
• Toss dressing with fennel bulb and radishes and adjust seasoning if necessary. Top with Parmesan and fennel fronds.