Trout with Warm Pine-Nut Dressing and Fennel Puree
- 1 medium fennel bulb, cut into thin wedges
- 6 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons canola oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms (about 1/4 ounce)
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, preferably Italian
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 4 trout fillets, about 4 ounces each, pin bones removed
- 2 ounces mesclun
- Preheat the oven to 425.
- Arrange the fennel wedges and 5 of the garlic cloves on a 12-inch sheet of foil and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the canola oil.
- Fold the foil into a packet and roast for about 45 minutes, until the packet is sizzling and the fennel and garlic are tender.
- Transfer the fennel and garlic to a food processor and puree until smooth; season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe container, combine the dried porcini with the boiling water.
- Microwave on high power for 2 minutes, until the porcini are plumped.
- In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil.
- Add the pine nuts and the remaining 1 clove of garlic and cook over moderate heat until the nuts are golden, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and strain the porcini liquid into the skillet, stopping before you reach the grit at the bottom.
- (Reserve the porcini for another use.)
- Add the balsamic vinegar and simmer over moderate heat until the liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons, about 5 minutes; discard the garlic.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and season the dressing with salt and pepper.
- Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large nonstick skillet.
- Season the trout fillets with salt and pepper.
- Add one fillet at a time to the skillet, skin side down; press with a spatula to flatten for 30 seconds.
- Repeat with the remaining fillets until the pan is full.
- Cook over moderately high heat until the trout is browned on the bottom and nearly cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Flip the fish and cook for 30 seconds longer.
- Spread the fennel puree on plates and top with the trout.
- Drizzle half of the dressing on top.
- Add the greens to the remaining dressing in the skillet and toss to coat.
- Mound the greens on the fish and serve.
fennel bulb, garlic, canola oil, salt, porcini mushrooms, boiling water, pine nuts, balsamic vinegar, trout
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/trout-warm-pine-nut-dressing-and-fennel-puree (may not work)