PUMPKIN-SEED-CRUSTED TROUT

Pumpkin-Seed-Crusted Trout image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro sprigs
3/4 cup hulled green pumpkin seeds* (about 1/4 pound)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
four 3- to 4-ounce trout fillets with skin
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter
*available at natural foods stores

Steps:

Finely chop cilantro. In a sealable plastic bag lightly crush pumpkin seeds with a rolling pin. In a shallow dish lightly beat eggs. Have flour and pumpkin seeds ready in 2 other separate shallow dishes. With tweezers remove fine bones from fillets and season trout with salt and pepper. Dredge flesh side of 1 fillet in flour, shaking off excess, and dip flesh side in eggs, letting excess drip off. Coat fillet with pumpkin seeds and transfer, seed side up, to a plate. Coat remaining fillets in same manner.
In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook fillets, seed sides down, until golden, about 3 minutes. Turn fillets carefully with a spatula and cook over low heat until just cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Transfer fillets with a spatula to a heated platter and keep warm while making sauce.
In a small heavy saucepan boil lime juice and wine until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Cut butter into pieces and add, 1 piece at a time, whisking until incorporated and sauce is smooth (it should not get hot enough to separate). Remove pan from heat. Add cilantro and season with salt.
Spoon sauce over trout fillets.