ROASTED STRIPED BASS WITH RED PEPPER-SPANISH PAPRIKA SAUCE WITH BATTER FRIED POTATOES

Roasted Striped Bass with Red Pepper-Spanish Paprika Sauce with Batter Fried Potatoes image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Time 35m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

3 tablespoons Spanish paprika
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoons honey
3 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
3/4 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 striped bass, 1 pound each, scaled and gutted
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
Red Pepper-Spanish Paprika Sauce (recipe above)
3/4 cup beer
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Salt and pepper
10 medium new potatoes, cooked until just tender and sliced 1/8-inch thick
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
Beer Batter (recipe above)
1/2 cup seasoned flour
Salt and pepper
4 cups peanut oil

Steps:

Toast the paprika in a small skillet over medium heat until the aroma emerges and the color deepens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. In a blender, combine the paprika with the vinegar, honey, and red peppers and blend well. Slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
For the Bass: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Make 4 diagonal cuts on each side of each fish, reaching all the way down to the bone. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place a large roasting pan on a burner over high heat. When pan is hot add oil. Heat oil to almost smoking. Place the fish in the roasting pan and sear until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. When fish is seared, place the roasting pan into the oven and roast for 12 to 14 minutes, depending on the size of the fish. Arrange the fish on a large serving platter with batter fried potatoes and drizzle with sauce.
For the Batter Fried Potatoes: In a mixing bowl, combine the beer, egg, milk, flour, and melted butter and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the thyme to the beer batter. Place the batter and the seasoned flour in 2 separate bowls. Season the potato slices with salt and pepper to taste. In a saute pan over medium heat, heat the oil to 375 degrees F or until a drop of batter sizzles on contact. Dredge the potato slices in the flour, dip them in the batter, and fry in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with salt and pepper to taste.