Canadian Aboriginal Peoples Spirit Braid Seafood Platter with Sambuca Fiddlehead Sauce
- 2 (4) slices Pacific salmon
- 1 (4) slice halibut
- cod
- 2 cups Court bouillon
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 3 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. Sambuca (Anise Flavoured Liqueur)
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2 oz. fiddleheads, parboiled and drained
- FOR THE FISH: Braid three strips of fish (two salmon and one white fish) like you would hair.
- Skewer both ends with toothpicks to hold braid together.
- In a large skillet, bring Court Bouillon to a simmer.
- Place braids carefully in a pan and poach 12 to 14 minutes, until fish is tender.
- Remove fish from liquid and drain on paper towels.
- Arrange wild rice on one side of a platter.
- Drizzle some Sambuca fiddlehead Sauce beside it, gently place over the braided fish on top and drizzle a little more sauce over it.
- Serves 4.
- SAMBUCA FIDDLEHEAD SAUCE: In a medium skillet over medium high heat, melt butter.
- Saute shallots and garlic until shallots are softened.
- Carefully stir in Sambuca; reduce by half.
- Stir in cream and simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add fiddleheads and simmer, stirring until fiddleheads are heated through.
- Makes about 1 cup.
- Sambuca is a liqueur produced by the infusion of Witch Elder bush and Licorice.
- The name 'Sambuca' originates from the scientific name for the elder tree, 'Sambuca Nigra', which grows abundantly throughout Italy.
- COURT BOUILLON FOR POACHING FISH: 1/2 large carrot, thinly sliced 1/2 large onion, thinly sliced 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced 6 black peppercorns, crushed 5 parsley stalks 1 bay leaf 1 Tbsp.
- salt 3/4 cup white wine vinegar 8 cups cold fish stock or water FOR THE COURT BOUILLON: In a large heavy soup pot, place carrot, onion, celery, peppercorns, parsley stalks, bay leaf, salt, vinegar and fish stock.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- Add the fresh fish to be poached and simmer until fish is tender, allowing 5 to 8 minutes per pound.
- Makes 8 cups.
- FISH STOCK: Fish stock has many usesin soups, chowder, sauce and for making the Court Bouillon for poaching fish.
- Two ways are here the first is a little bit simpler, but both produce great results.
- 4 lb.
- bones of whitefish, halibut, sole, turbot, etc.
- 5 quarts cold water 2 medium onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms 1/2 bunch parsley stalks 1 bay leaf 12 peppercorns, crushed 1 tsp.
- fennel seeds Juice of 1 lemon METHOD # 1 Wash fish bones and place in a large heavy soup pot.
- Add water and bring to a boil.
- Skim foam off the surface of the stock.
- Add onions, mushrooms, parsley stalks, bay leaf, peppercorns, fennel seeds and lemon juice.
- Simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, skimming surface occasionally.
- Strain stock through a fine sieve.
- Stock will keep for at least a week in the fridge.
- Or you can boil the strained stock until it starts to thicken, about 3 to 4 hours.
- Pour into a large baking or roasting pan and chill a few hours until set.
- Cut gel into cubes, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze.
- Whenever you need fresh stock, take a cube from the freezer and dilute with hot water.
- (You can freeze any stock this way.)
- METHOD # 2 In a large, heavy soup pot, saute onions, parsley flakes, bay leaf, peppercorns and fennel seeds in 1 Tbsp.
- butter until onion is transparent.
- Add a squirt of fresh lemon juice, fish bones and mushrooms.
- Add water and bring to a simmer, simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, skimming the surface occasionally.
- Strain, cool and store as above.
- Makes 5 quarts.
- (5 L.) Feast!
- Canadian Native Cuisine For all Seasons
salmon, cod, court, unsalted butter, shallots, clove garlic, whipping cream, fiddleheads
Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/20762 (may not work)