Sauteed Alaskan Black Cod with Endive and Hazelnuts
- 6 fillets black cod, 5 to 6 ounces each, bones removed if possible
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup sliced flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup blanched hazelnuts
- 6 Belgian endives
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Season the fish with the lemon zest, 1 tablespoon thyme, and 2 tablespoons parsley.
- Cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove the fish from the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking, to bring it to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- Toast the hazelnuts on a baking sheet 10 to 12 minutes, until theyre golden brown and smell nutty.
- When the nuts have cooled, chop them coarsely.
- Remove any wilted or brown outer leaves from the endives.
- Slice off the root ends, and separate the endives into spears.
- Arrange the endive into stacks of five, and cut each stack in half lengthwise.
- Heat a large saute pan over high heat for 1 minute.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter, and when it foams, add the endive and remaining 2 teaspoons of thyme.
- (You may need to do this in two pans or two batches.
- Divide the ingredients accordingly if so.)
- Sprinkle in the sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Saute over medium heat about 4 minutes, until the endive is slightly caramelized and softened.
- Turn off the heat, and leave the endive in the pan while you cook the fish.
- Heat a large saute pan over high heat for 2 minutes.
- (Depending on the size of your pan, you may need to cook the fish in batches.)
- Season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Swirl in the olive oil and wait 1 minute.
- Carefully lay the fish in the pan, skin side down, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until the skin is crisp.
- Turn the fish over, lower the heat to medium-low, and cook a few more minutes, until its just cooked through.
- Be careful not to overcook the fish.
- When its done, the fish will begin to flake and separate a little.
- Remember, the fish will continue to cook a little more once you take it out of the pan.
- Transfer the endive to a warm platter, and wipe out the fish pan with paper towels.
- Heat the pan over medium-high heat for a minute.
- Add the remaining 7 tablespoons butter and cook a few minutes, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter browns and smells nutty.
- Turn off the heat, wait 30 seconds, and add the hazelnuts.
- Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, a pinch of pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons sliced parsley.
- Arrange the fish over the endive.
- Stir the brown butter, scraping the bottom of the pan to incorporate all the little brown flecks.
- Spoon the butter over the fish.
black cod, lemon, thyme, parsley, blanched hazelnuts, endives, butter, sugar, extravirgin olive oil, kosher salt
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/sauteed-alaskan-black-cod-with-endive-and-hazelnuts-390994 (may not work)