FLUKE w/ROMESCO AND POTATOES

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  • 6

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
  • Salt
  • 1/2 cup romesco sauce
  • 1 cup fish stock or water
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 pounds fluke or halibut fillets, skinless, in 6 pieces
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley.

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a sauté pan or shallow stovetop casserole large enough to hold the fish in a single layer. Add the potatoes and sauté until they start to become crusty and brown, about 15 minutes. Season with salt. Stir in the romesco sauce, stock and wine. Bring to a simmer.

2. Add the fish, season with salt. The fish should be barely covered with the liquid. Cook gently just until the fish is cooked, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve from the pan or casserole, if possible, or transfer to a serving dish.


Romesco Sauc

2 dried ñora chiles (available in Spanish markets and online), or 1 ancho chile
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
25 marcona almonds
15 skinned hazelnuts or additional almonds
1 cup small cubes of stale sourdough bread
4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
2 jarred piquillo peppers, drained and chopped
1 medium ripe tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 2/3 cup)
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika, sweet or hot, or to taste
Salt.

1. Cut the chiles in half, place in a bowl and cover with boiling water, weighing them down with a plate to keep them submerged. Set aside for 30 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds, hazelnuts and bread cubes and stir until they start to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, and stir until lightly browned. Add the piquillo peppers. Remove from heat.

3. Drain the chiles, and remove stems and seeds. Chop the chiles, add them to the pan, heat and stir briefly. Add the tomato, stir and cook a minute or so until softened. Remove from heat.

4. Transfer to a food processor or a blender and pulse until a rough paste is formed. With the machine running, slowly pour in the wine. Turn off the machine, add vinegar, paprika and salt, to taste, then pulse briefly to blend. The sauce will have a slightly nubbly texture.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups.