Skate with Capers and Brown Butter |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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Long a French favorite, skate is becoming increasingly popular with American cooks as they discover just how moist, succulent, and flavorful it is. Ours is a classic French preparation-poached with herbs and sauced with a combination of pungent capers, vinegar, and mellow browned butter. Boiled potatoes are the classic accompaniment. Ingredients:
4 pieces skate wing, unfilleted (about 2 1/2 pounds in all) |
4 1/2 cups water, or more if needed |
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar |
1 teaspoon dried thyme |
1 3/4 teaspoons salt |
1/4 teaspoon peppercorns |
2 bay leaves |
1/4 pound unsalted butter |
1/3 cup capers |
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley |
1/8 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper |
Directions:
1. Put the skate in a large deep frying pan in one layer. Pour the water and the 1/2 cup vinegar over the fish. Add the thyme, 1 teaspoon of thesalt, the peppercorns, bay leaves, and more water if needed to cover. Bring to a simmer and cook, partially covered, at a gentle simmer for 3 minutes. Raise the heat and bring to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat and let sit until the fish is just done, about 5 minutes. Carefully remove the fish and drain on paper towels.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium stainless-steel saucepan, melt the butter over moderate heat. Cook until the butter turns a medium brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the remaining1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar, the capers, the parsley, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and the ground pepper. Serve the fish topped with the sauce.
3. Wine Recommendation: Capers suggest a medium-bodied, flavorful white wine, such as a Gavi from Italy or a pinot blanc from Alsace in France.
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