Best Le Bernardin Fish Soup Recipes

ERIC'S ROAST MONKFISH WITH CASSEROLE OF MUSHROOMS, SNOW PEAS, AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Divide corn oil between two 10-inch nonstick ovenproof skillets. Over high heat, heat oil until just smoking. Place two pieces of monkfish in each skillet, and saute until fish is browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn the fish, and transfer the skillets to the preheated oven. Bake for about 8 minutes, or until a cake tester can be easily inserted into the fish or when left in the fillet for 5 seconds, the cake tester is warm to your lip.
• In a large enameled pot over medium heat, add butter, bacon, and mushrooms. Cover, and cook about 4 minutes. Add garlic, shallots, and chicken stock. Reduce heat to low, and cook, covered, about 5 minutes, being careful not to let the liquid evaporate.
• Add asparagus, snow peas, and parsley. Saute until just heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, and divide among four plates.
• Transfer the monkfish from the oven to a cutting board, and slice the pieces into 1/4-inch-thick slices; fan over vegetables. Serve immediately.

STEAMED HALIBUT IN BORSCHT WITH WARM CHIVE-HORSERADISH SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Add onions and fennel, and cook slowly about 5 minutes, until softened. Tie garlic, thyme, parsley and chopped cabbage in a double thickness of cheesecloth, and add it to saucepan along with stock and beets. Simmer 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Discard cheesecloth and its contents. To serve the dish chilled, refrigerate beet mixture at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add julienned cabbage leaves, cook just until bright green, then drain. Set leaves aside, covered, to keep warm; for a cold dish, refrigerate.
• Mix creme fraiche, sour cream or mayonnaise with horseradish, sugar and chives. If using mayonnaise, thin it beforehand with 2 tablespoons water. This sauce can be gently warmed in a small saucepan or chilled to serve cold.
• To serve, steam halibut until fully cooked outside and just warm inside, 6 to 8 minutes. Keep warm. Reheat beet mixture, spoon into warmed shallow soup plates, sprinkle with julienned cabbage and top with fish. Or spoon chilled beet mixture into shallow soup plates, add cabbage, and top with gefilte fish. Serve horseradish sauce, warm or chilled, on the side.

FRESH AND SMOKED SALMON SPREAD

Steps:

• Place wine, shallots and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the fresh salmon and poach for 40 seconds. Drain in a sieve and run cold water over the fish just to stop the cooking. Drain well and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 1/2 hours. Discard the poaching liquid.
• Place smoked salmon in a large bowl and stir in the chives. Add the poached salmon and use the side of a wooden spoon to shred the salmon as you mix. Stir in the lemon juice, mayonnaise and pepper. Add sea salt to taste.
• Refrigerate up to 6 hours, then serve with toasted baguettes.

FRENCH-STYLE SCRAMBLED EGGS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until foamy. Add eggs and cook, whisking, until they begin to set; gently whisk in milk and chives. Remove from heat and serve with toasted bread.