SEA BASS VERACRUZANA

Sea Bass Veracruzana image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless sea bass, or other firm fleshed fresh fish, cut in 4 portions
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil, or butter
1 small yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 to 3 jalapenos, stemmed and sliced into 1/4-inch disks
1 lime, cut in 1/8ths
1 tomato, cored and seeded, cut in strips
1/2 cup Spanish green olives (picholines), pitted and sliced
1/2 bunch fresh oregano leaves, washed and roughly chopped
1/2 cup white wine
3/4 cup fish stock or clam juice

Steps:

Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper. Heat one very large or two medium sized saute pans over medium high heat for a minute, then add the butter. When the butter is sizzling, add the fillets flesh side down and turn the heat to very high. Sear the fillets until golden brown and flip to sear the other side. Remove fillets from pan and reserve on a rack over a plate to catch juices.
Return the pan (or pans) to the heat, add the onions and cook, stirring often, over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno slices, lime wedges, tomatoes, oregano and olives and saute briskly for 1 minute more. Add the white wine and reduce to half. Add the fish stock and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and return fish fillets, along with their juices, to the pan. Finish cooking, covered, about 1 to 3 minutes depending upon the thickness of fillets.
Taste broth and adjust seasoning, then serve immediately in soup plates with a generous puddle of broth and garnish of vegetables on top.