CRISPY BONELESS WHOLE FISH WITH SOFRITO

Crispy Boneless Whole Fish with Sofrito image

Provided by Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

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Vegetable oil, for frying
1 (2 to 3 pound) whole snapper, remove center bones, keep head and tail intact
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Flour, for dusting
4 eggs beaten with 1 cup buttermilk, as an egg wash
Sofrito, recipe follows
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Extra-large skewers for shaping fish, but small enough to fit in the pot
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow pepper, minced
1 red pepper, minced
1 red onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 scotch bonnet, minced
1 tablespoon minced aji amarillo
1 fennel bulb, minced
Pinch saffron
1 cup amontillado Sherry
1 cup fish stock or clam juice
1 lime
1 bunch cilantro, pick leaves and chop stems

Steps:

In a large deep pot, fitted with a deep frying thermometer, preheat 5 inches oil to 325 degrees F.
Starting at the tail end, push the skewer crosswise just above the tail, and bend the fish into an "s" shape and attach the skewer through the head, just in front of the front fin.
Season the fish and dust with the flour. Place in the egg wash. Place back in the flour. Shake off excess.
Fry the fish at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
Season with salt and pepper when removing from the fryer. Set on paper towels to drain oil. Serve with sofrito and garnish with cilantro.
In a saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add all the dry ingredients. Cook for about 5 minutes, until all vegetables are soft and the saffron is toasted. Add the wine, reduce half way. Add the stock and reduce half way. Finish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.