Farm-Raised Snapper with Fennel, Scallions, and Red Pepper
I recently saw something labeled “Snapper Lake Victoria (Kenya) Farm Raised,” and it looked glistening and fresh through its plastic wrap. Because the slice, just under a pound, was rather plump and not firm-fleshed and fatty, I felt it would take well to braising with some vegetables. I happened to have about half of a small fennel in the vegetable bin, and some roasted red peppers (from a jar, another good standby item, or put away your own [see page 242]), so I decided to make a bed of those aromatics and, when they were cooked semi-soft, to tuck the fish in and let everything finish cooking together. It was particularly delicious with leftover cooked potatoes browned in duck fat.
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Slice the fennel very thin. If you have a mandoline, that will do the job well. Heat the oil in a small frying pan, and scatter the fennel pieces in. Salt and pepper lightly, and cook over very low heat; if the fennel seems to be browning and drying out, add a little water. When it begins to soften, after about 5 minutes, clear the bottom of the pan and lay in the snapper, salted and peppered lightly. Sprinkle on the scallions, the herbes de Provence, and scatter the red pepper on top. Pour in the wine, and braise for 5–6 minutes, covered, turning once, and adding the olives during the last minute of cooking. Garnish with chopped parsley and fennel leaves.
Second Round
Step 2
If your eyes were bigger than your tummy, which often happens to me, retrieve a piece of the fish, preferably a thinner, side piece that cooks faster, and make this fish salad: Cut the cooked fish into bite-sized pieces, and dress it with Winter Green Sauce (page 159). Surround it with some cucumbers and tomatoes and more olives, as well as a hard-boiled egg and some tart greens, for a most satisfying lunch.
