Crispy Rouget With Wild Asparagus And Spring Garlic Broth

Serves: 3

Aurelia Collier

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

49

Sweetness

46

Sourness

45

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.9

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1

Salt

1 cup

Olive Oil

3 sprigs

Thyme (fresh)

2 small

Onion (diced)

Directions:

1

Prepare the garlic broth, then reserve

2

Heat the 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil in a medium skillet over medium heat

3

Add the shallots and the diced asparagus

4

Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is tender, about 10 minutes

5

Set aside to cool

6

Lay a butterflied rouget skin side-down on a clean surface

7

Spread a thin layer of the asparagus and shallot mixture over the exposed fish flesh

8

Fold the fish around the filling so it resumes its natural shape

9

Using butchers twine, tie the stuffed rouget at 1-inch intervals running from head to tail

10

Stuff and tie the remaining rouget

11

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat

12

Season the rouget with salt and pepper

13

Add the fish to the pan and saute until the fish is opaque and flaky, about 3 minutes per side

14

Meanwhile, combine the Garlic Broth and wild asparagus in a small skillet (add a little water if the broth does not almost cover the asparagus)

15

Bring the broth to a simmer over medium heat, gently poaching the asparagus until just tender, about 2 to 3 minutes

16

To serve, ladle Garlic Broth into 6 shallow bowls

17

Place a rouget in each bowl then garnish with poached asparagus

18

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat

19

Add the fish heads and bones and cook, stirring occasionally until the flesh is opaque and the bones softened, about 15 minutes

20

Transfer the head and bones to a bowl and reserve

21

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan

22

Add the onion, celery, carrot, leek, shallot, and garlic whites

23

Cook, still over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 10 to 15 minutes

24

Add the tomatoes, saffron, thyme, and bay leaves

25

Cook, continuing to stir from time to time, until the tomato juices are released and begin to concentrate, about 10 to 15 minutes more

26

Add the wine and bring to a simmer

27

Give the stock base another stir and add the reserved fish bones and heads, the Fish Fumet, and the chicken stock

28

Bring the broth to a simmer

29

Simmer the broth over medium heat, skimming occasionally until the broth is flavorful about 20 minutes

30

Line a fine sieve with cheesecloth

31

Set the strainer over a pot

32

Ladle the broth through the strainer

33

Return the broth to the stove

34

Add the garlic greens and simmer gently until reduced by about one quarter, 15 minutes or so

35

Once again strain the broth through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth

36

Chill the broth then keep refrigerated until ready to use

37

Put the bones, onions, fennel, leek, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns, star anise, and wine in a large pot

38

Add water to cover and slowly bring to a simmer over medium heat

39

Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook at the gentlest simmer, skimming occasionally but not stirring, until fragrant, about 20 minutes

40

Line a fine sieve with cheesecloth

41

Set the sieve over a pan or bowl and ladle the fumet through the sieve, taking care not to disturb the bones and vegetables at the bottom of the pot

42

Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use

43

Cook's Note: Use bones from lean white fish like snapper or bass

44

Bones from dark fleshed and oily fish (mackerel, tuna, salmon) are too strong tasting for fumet