Flounder Poached in Broth
- 2 cups chicken stock or one 14- or 15-ounce can
- Three 1-inch-thick leeks
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds flounder or other thin fish fillets
- Put the stock in a large skillet that can be covered and turn the heat to high.
- Let it boil and reduce by about half while you prepare the leeks.
- Trim the leeks of the root and green end; cut the white part in half the long way and rinse thoroughly.
- Chop each half into 1/8- to 1/4-inch-thick semicircles, adding them to the boiling broth as you cut them.
- When all the leeks are added, cook for another minute.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and stir, then add the fish.
- Cover and turn off the heat or keep the heat at an absolute minimum.
- Uncover and check the fish after 3 minutes; it is done when a thin-bladed knife encounters no resistance.
- Continue to check every minute until the fish is done.
- Serve the fish with the leeks and some broth spooned over it; top all with a sprinkling of coarse salt.
- Use any aromatic vegetable you like in place of the leeks, alone or in combination: shallots, onions, scallions, garlic, celery, or carrots (cut carrots into very small pieces or shred them on a grater or in a food processor so theyll cook quickly).
- Add fresh herbs, especially parsley, chervil, or dill, alone or in combination.
- Add spices, alone or in combination.
- For example, for a North Africanstyle dish, use a few coriander seeds, a small piece of cinnamon, and a little cumin.
- Or add a couple of teaspoons of curry powder to the broth.
- You can also use this technique for thicker fillets, like red snapper, sea bass, or cod.
- After you cover the skillet, keep the heat on low and, after about 6 minutes, check the fish every minute.
- When a thin-bladed knife encounters no resistance, the fish is done; when it begins to flake, its overdonebut only slightly, and it will still be juicy.
chicken stock, leeks, salt, flounder
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/flounder-poached-in-broth-386625 (may not work)