Recipe courtesy of Alfredo N Ayala
Pan-fried Red Snapper Fillet with Corn Cream Creole Sauce
- Level: Intermediate
- Total: 50 min
- Prep: 20 min
- Cook: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons achiote oil
2 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
3 tablespoons red and green peppers, finely chopped
1 small tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped
2 sweet chile peppers (Serrano or Anaheim), finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 sprigs fresh cilantro, plus extra sprigs, for garnish
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper
4 cups fresh corn, cut from cobs
1 cup fish stock
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 pounds fresh red snapper fillet, cut into 4 pieces
4 tablespoons olive oil
Lightly toasted and crushed coriander seeds, for garnish
Directions
- In a large saucepan, heat the achiote oil over medium heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, tomato, chile peppers, garlic, cilantro, bay leaf, salt, and pepper, and stir-fry for about 4 minutes. Add the corn and fish stock and cook over medium heat for about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Transfer to a blender process until smooth on high speed.* Pour the sauce through a fine strainer into a saucepan, add the evaporated milk, and warm over low heat.
- Dilute the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water. Add to the saucepan, mix well, and incorporate the butter with a whisk. Taste for seasoning and and cook for about 5 minutes. Keep warm.
- Generously season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over high heat. When oil is hot, place the fillets in the skillet, skin side down, and cook for 3 minutes, without turning. Flip onto other side and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat to a platter.
- Spoon the warm sauce in the center of each dinner plate. Top with a fish portion. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and the toasted and crushed coriander seeds.
