Best Shad Fillets With Red Pepper And Saffron Sauce Recipes

SAFFRON FISH WITH RED PEPPERS AND PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• Pour 2 cups of boiling water into a bowl and sprinkle with the saffron strands. Use a spoon to press the saffron strands against the side of the bowl to release the flavor. Cover the bowl with a plate and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over low. Add the bell peppers, onion, tomatoes, garlic and cilantro stems, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is transparent.
• Nestle the fish into the vegetables, sprinkle with the paprika, red-pepper flakes (if using), 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour the prepared saffron water over everything. (You can do all of this in advance 1 day in advance, and refrigerate until ready to finish.)
• When ready to cook, add the olives and preserved lemon (if using - but if using fresh lemon, that will come in Step 5). Bring the mixture to a boil over high, reduce to low, cover the pan and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, basting the fish every 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the cilantro leaves during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Taste for seasoning and serve, setting the fish on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice, if not using the preserved lemon. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SEARED SALMON WITH SPICY RED PEPPER AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the aioli, chop the garlic and chipotle pepper together on a cutting board to make a coarse paste. Place the paste in a food processor, add the lime juice and roasted red peppers, and purée. Add the mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and process until smooth. Set aside.
• For the salmon, place a large (12-inch), dry cast-iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes. Place the salmon fillets on a board, pat dry with paper towels, and rub all over with olive oil. With the fillets rounded side up, sprinkle them with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• Place the salmon in the skillet rounded side down and cook over medium-high heat for exactly 2 minutes without moving! Using a large metal spatula, turn the fillets rounded side up and place the skillet in the oven. Roast for 3 to 4 minutes, until the centers are rare. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and allow the salmon to rest for 3 to 4 minutes for medium-rare or 5 minutes for medium. Serve the salmon hot with the aioli and a wedge of lime for squeezing.

BROILED FILET OF SHAD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Place the shad, skin side down on a rack in a baking pan and season with salt and pepper. Broil the shad, about 6 inches away from the heat source until the top is lightly browned and fish is cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes, depending upon how thick it is. (You do not turn it) When done, set on a bed of tomato garnish and serve with buttered spinach or other greens.

SHAD IN RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet that has sides, such as a jelly-roll pan, with foil and lightly butter the foil.
• Place the shad fillets on the baking sheet, brush with melted butter and lemon juice and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes, until just cooked.
• While the shad is baking, cook the shallots over medium-high heat in the vinegar and wine in a saucepan until the liquid is reduced to about three tablespoons. Do not use an aluminum or iron pan. Then, over low heat, begin whisking-in the butter a pat at a time, adding another pat as each one is incorporated, making a light, pink, buttery emulsion. Reserve one or two small pats of butter at the end. Do not allow the sauce to overheat or boil or it will break down. Season it to taste with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
• As soon as the shad is just done, divide it into portions on warm plates.
• Return the sauce to low heat, whisk-in the remaining pats of butter, spoon sauce over the shad and serve.