Red Snapper And Cepes In A Port Reduction

Serves: 5

Felicia King

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

46

Spice

57

Sweetness

47

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

3 tbsps

Corn Oil

5 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

Directions:

1

Bring the port to a boil in a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium-high heat

2

Lower the heat slightly and simmer until reduced to 1 cup (if using a gas stove, never let the flames extend above the bottom edge of the pan)

3

Add the vinegar and simmer until reduced almost to a syrup consistency, lowering the heat as necessary to keep the sauce from burning around the edges—you should have about 7 tablespoons

4

(The sauce can be made to this point up to 1 week ahead; cover and refrigerate

5

) 2

6

Divide 1 tablespoon of corn oil between the 2 skillets and place over high heat until the oil is just smoking

7

Divide the cepes, thyme, and garlic between the skillets and lower the heat to medium

8

Sauté until browned, about 4 minutes

9

Turn the heat to low and divide the shallot and 2 tablespoons of butter between the skillets

10

Season both with salt and pepper

11

Cook until the shallot is softened and the cepes are tender, about 6 minutes more

12

Discard the garlic and thyme and combine the mixtures

13

(The cepes can be made to his point up to 1 day ahead; cover and refrigerate)

14

Season both sides of the snapper with salt and pepper

15

Sprinkle the five-spice powder over the skin and rub it into the fish

16

Clean the skillets and divide the remaining 2 tablespoons of corn oil between them

17

Place both over high heat until the oil is just smoking

18

Add the snapper to the skillets, skin side down, and briefly hold the fillets down with a spatula to prevent the skin from shrinking

19

Sauté until the bottom of the fillets are dark and crusted, about 5 minutes

20

Turn and cook for about 5 minutes longer, until a metal skewer inserted into the fish for 5 seconds is met with medium resistance and feels warm when touched to your lip

21

Keep the fillets warm

22

Meanwhile, reheat the mushrooms

23

Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat

24

Cut the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in to 1/2-inch pieces

25

Lift the saucepan a few inches above the heat and add the butter

26

Shake the pan back and forth until the butter is melted and incorporated into the sauce; this will take about 3 minutes

27

Do not stir or whisk the butter into the sauce

28

The sauce will be very shiny and clear

29

To serve, stir the chives into the mushrooms and arrange them in the center of 4 large plates

30

Top with the snapper

31

Drizzle the sauce around the mushrooms and serve immediately

32

Bring the port to a boil in a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium-high heat

33

Lower the heat slightly and simmer until reduced to 1 cup (if using a gas stove, never let the flames extend above the bottom edge of the pan)

34

Add the vinegar and simmer until reduced almost to a syrup consistency, lowering the heat as necessary to keep the sauce from burning around the edges—you should have about 7 tablespoons

35

(The sauce can be made to this point up to 1 week ahead; cover and refrigerate

36

) 2

37

Divide 1 tablespoon of corn oil between the 2 skillets and place over high heat until the oil is just smoking

38

Divide the cepes, thyme, and garlic between the skillets and lower the heat to medium

39

Sauté until browned, about 4 minutes

40

Turn the heat to low and divide the shallot and 2 tablespoons of butter between the skillets

41

Season both with salt and pepper

42

Cook until the shallot is softened and the cepes are tender, about 6 minutes more

43

Discard the garlic and thyme and combine the mixtures

44

(The cepes can be made to his point up to 1 day ahead; cover and refrigerate)

45

Season both sides of the snapper with salt and pepper

46

Sprinkle the five-spice powder over the skin and rub it into the fish

47

Clean the skillets and divide the remaining 2 tablespoons of corn oil between them

48

Place both over high heat until the oil is just smoking

49

Add the snapper to the skillets, skin side down, and briefly hold the fillets down with a spatula to prevent the skin from shrinking

50

Sauté until the bottom of the fillets are dark and crusted, about 5 minutes

51

Turn and cook for about 5 minutes longer, until a metal skewer inserted into the fish for 5 seconds is met with medium resistance and feels warm when touched to your lip

52

Keep the fillets warm

53

Meanwhile, reheat the mushrooms

54

Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat

55

Cut the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in to 1/2-inch pieces

56

Lift the saucepan a few inches above the heat and add the butter

57

Shake the pan back and forth until the butter is melted and incorporated into the sauce; this will take about 3 minutes

58

Do not stir or whisk the butter into the sauce

59

The sauce will be very shiny and clear

60

To serve, stir the chives into the mushrooms and arrange them in the center of 4 large plates

61

Top with the snapper

62

Drizzle the sauce around the mushrooms and serve immediately