HERB AND POTATO CRUSTED HALIBUT WITH CUCUMBER NOODLES AND ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• For the tomato water: Line a hand strainer with cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic and a nice big pinch of salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times, scrape down the sides with a spatula, and pulse again. Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined strainer. Set aside to strain for 2 hours, giving it an occasional stir to redistribute the juices.
• For the cucumbers: Add the fish sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar and sambal to a large bowl and stir to combine. Trim the ends of the cucumbers so they are even in size. Using a mandoline, shave the cucumbers lengthwise on all sides, turning the cucumber when you get to the seeds. Discard the center with the seeds. Stack the shaved cucumber and slice lengthwise into noodles, about the width of linguine. Add to the dressing and sit for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• For the fish: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add the thyme, chives, parsley and potato flakes to a small bowl and mix to combine. Sprinkle the halibut with salt, then brush with the egg wash. Dip each piece of fish into the herb and potato flake mixture, pressing firmly to ensure the crust is tightly adhered. Place onto a sheet tray with the crusted side up and set aside.
• Heat a large saute pan with some olive oil and the smashed garlic over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan to infuse the oil with the garlic. Cook until the garlic is golden brown, a few minutes, then remove from the pan. Add the zucchini and cook to soften, 2 to 3 minutes, then toss in the corn and cook for another minute. Finally, add the diced tomatoes and season with salt. Cook for just a minute, then turn off the heat.
• Heat a large nonstick pan with some olive oil over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the fish, crusted side down. Cook until the crust is golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Flip the fish, then transfer onto a sheet tray lined with a rack. Arrange the sliced tomatoes next to the halibut. Place into the oven and bake until it reaches an internal temperature of 125 to 130 degrees F when inserted with a thermometer, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Set up a deep fryer and heat canola oil to 350 degrees F. Combine the flour and wine in a small bowl and stir to make a batter. It should be the consistency of a thin pancake batter. If it's too thick, add a bit more wine. Dip the zucchini blossoms into the batter, then fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, flipping halfway through. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate and season with salt.
• To serve: Place a slice of the roasted tomato on the bottom of a shallow bowl and top with the cucumber noodles. Add some of the sauteed zucchini, corn and tomatoes over the top, followed by the fish, crust side up. Garnish with the fried zucchini blossoms and micro basil. Pour some of the tomato water around the edge of the plate right before serving.