SPICY SEARED STRIPED BASS AND CORN SALAD WITH FIGS AND PEACHES

Spicy Seared Striped Bass and Corn Salad with Figs and Peaches image

Provided by Dave Lieberman

Time 28m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/4 cup canola or safflower oil
3 star anise, whole
Few dashes red chili flakes
2 cloves garlic, crushed with skins still on
2 fillets wild sea bass, skin on and scored
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Corn Salad with Figs and Peaches, recipe follows
Juice of 2 lemons
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Superfine sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 ears fresh corn, husked and kernels removed
2 bunches watercress, torn into bite sized pieces
1/4 cup sliced scallions
1 peach and 1 fig, sliced, for garnish

Steps:

Heat oil in large skillet and toss in spices and garlic and saute until garlic is dark golden. Remove star anise and garlic.
Salt and pepper fish fillets. Sear skin side down first then turn and finish cooking.
Toss together corn kernels watercress and scallions. Whisk together all dressing ingredients except oil. Then slowly drizzle in oil while continuing to whisk. Pour in enough oil so dressing becomes thick and creamy and not too acidic. Season, to taste, with salt, pepper and sugar.
For the dressing: Whisk together the lemon juice, mayonnaise, Dijon, salt, pepper and sugar to taste. Whisk in the vegetable oil until emulsified. Toss the corn, watercress and scallions together and add enough of the dressing to coat the salad.