The Wine Experience

Recipe of the Week!

Pecan Crusted White Fish from Chef Dana B

The Wine Experience Wine Recommendation: Riesling
Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the Fish:

4, 6 or 7 ounce fillets of perch
Olive oil
Kosher Salt
Cracked Pepper
1/3 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup pecan meal, or pecans finely ground
2 Tbs dried Thyme leaves

For the Cherry Tomato Salsa:

1/2 pint Red or Yellow cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 Tbs Poblano chili, deveined and minced
4 large leaves basil, minced
Juice of half of a Lemon
Kosher Salt
Cracked Pepper

For the Braised Vegetables:

2 bunches Asparagus, woody ends removed
1/2 bag sweet baby carrots, halved lengthwise
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
Cracked pepper
2 Bay leaves

•  Gather and prep all ingredients according to the recipe.

•  Combine all of the ingredients of the salsa and toss.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside.

•  In a flat bottomed sauté pan or wide bottomed sauce pan, add chicken stock, bay leaf, and cracked pepper.  Set aside.

•  Measure the cornmeal, pecan meal, and thyme leaves on to a plate.  Toss to combine.  Brush the perch with olive oil, sprinkle generously with Cracked pepper and salt, and then coat completely with the cornmeal mixture.

•  Place the chicken stock over high heat, add the carrots, and cover.  Place a fry pan large enough to accommodate all four fish filets over medium high heat.  When the pan is hot, add olive oil and tilt the pan to coat.  Add the fish, and tilt the pan again to evenly distribute the oil.  Fish should cook 4-6 minutes on each side.  Check after 4 minutes....the crust should be deep golden brown.

•  Add the asparagus to the simmering stock and carrots, reduce temp to medium, and keep covered.

•  Remember to turn the fish when ready.

•  Watch the vegetables so that they are braised only until tender crisp...then drain the liquid, remove the bay leaf, and toss in a small amount of butter and let the warmth of the pan melt the butter.  Cover to keep warm until serving.

•  When the fish are ready...you're ready to serve!