Fish
Sfinciune
(Sicilian "Pizza" with Onions and Anchovies)
Sfinciune derives its name from a word in local dialect meaning soft, light, or tender, a reference to its rich, airy crust. This version of sfinciune has a bread-crumb topping, which gives it a pleasant crunch.
Fish Marinated with Vinegar, Sweet Wine, Tomato, and Rosemary
Ideally, the sweet wine in the marinade should be Muscat, a famous Samos wine.
Fish Soup with Bread and Rouille
Active time: 1 3/4 hr Start to finish: 4 1/4 hr (includes making stock and rouille)
Sea Bass with Parsley Purée
"I was in Boston on a business trip when I discovered the city's North End and its many old Italian restaurants," writes Jennifer Fassman of Westport, Connecticut. "After wandering around the small, quaint streets, I was surprised to find a bright, modern restaurant — Marcuccio's. I took the waiter's advice and ordered the sea bass with parsley sauce. It was incredible."
At the restaurant, this entrée is served with sautéed broccoli rabe (also known as rapini). It would be great with spinach, too.
Miniature Onion Tartlets
Petits Pissaladières
Brandada
Bacalao (salt cod) has been popular in Spain for centuries, especially among the Basques (they brought it back from whaling voyages to northern Europe) and the Catalans (the southern French shared it with them). Although Spain is surrounded by water, in days gone by fresh fish never made it to the interior and sometimes wasn't available - or any good - on the coasts. So, in this strict Catholic country where meat and poultry were not allowed on Fridays, or during Lent, Bacalao became an integral part of the staple diet. Bradade - salt cod pureed with potatoes, olive oil and sometimes milk - is a specialty of France's Provence area that has made its way into the Catalan culinary repertoire as Brandada. If you've never tried salt cod, this is a good initiation. Start soaking the dried fish a day ahead.
Seared Salmon with Tomatillo Coulis
The chef serves this salmon over a salad of romaine hearts, artichoke hearts, radishes, green beans, cucumber, potatoes, celery, scallion, olives, tomatoes, and basil with a dressing of lime juice and olive oil.
Salade Niçoise
This version of the French classic has only raw vegetables.
Halibut in Spiced Court Bouillon
Traditionally used for poaching seafood, court bouillon (French for "quick broth") is an aromatic stock made with vegetables and herbs. Wine, lemon juice, or vinegar is often added.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Baked Sea Bass in Herbed Salt Crust
This recipe produces a deliciously moist fish with a subtly salty flavor.
Sauteed Swordfish with Niçoise Vinaigrette
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Red Snapper Chowder
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Pan-Fried Trout with Red Onion and Orange Relish
Complete the menu with roasted potatoes, steamed spinach and butterscotch brownies.