Black Bass With Pine Nuts |
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Prep Time: 45 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes |
Ready In: 60 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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One of two Runner-Up recipes for 1999 in the San Francisco Chronicle, from Chad Callahan. Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry white wine, plus |
2 tablespoons dry white wine |
1 shallot, chopped |
1 small bay leaf |
2 tablespoons heavy cream |
8 ounces unsalted butter, cut into small pieces |
1/2 teaspoon crushed saffron |
2 tablespoons water |
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil |
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar |
4 tablespoons unsalted butter |
2 ounces toasted pine nuts |
2 ounces golden raisins |
1/2 lb baby spinach |
salt and pepper |
4 (6 ounce) black sea bass or 4 (6 ounce) sea bass fillets, boned |
salt and pepper |
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil |
2 tablespoons unsalted butter |
2 1/2 ounces pine nuts, toasted and finely chopped |
1 ounce plain breadcrumbs |
Directions:
1. To prepare the Beurre Blanc, combine 1/2 cup wine, the shallot and bay leaf in a saucepan and reduce until almost dry. Add the cream, then whisk in the butter; set aside and keep warm. Combine the saffron, water and the remaining 2 tablespoons wine in a saucepan; boil until reduced by half. Pour into the beurre blanc, whisk, then strain through a chinois or fine mesh sieve. Keep the sauce warm.
2. The Vinaigrette: Mix the olive oil with the vinegar and set aside.
3. The Spinach: Melt the butter in a saucepan; add the pine nuts and raisins and cook until the butter browns. Add the spinach, salt and pepper and saute until wilted. Transfer to a warm plate.
4. The Fish: Preheat the broiler. Season the flesh-side of the fillets with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet. Add the fish and saute over medium heat until crisp. Turn and cook for 30 seconds longer. Transfer to a heat-proof platter.
5. Melt the butter in a small skillet. Add the chopped pine nuts and breadcrumbs, and cook until foaming. Spoon over the fish. Broil until golden brown.
6. To Serve: Arrange the fish on the spinach. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the saffron beurre blanc over each fillet, then spoon 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette around and on the Beurre Blanc, and over the fish, if you like.
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