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3-4
pounds striped bass, cut into two fillets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped shallots or green onions (use some of green stems)
1 clove garlic, minced fine
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chervil (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh sage leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh summer savory (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh basil (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
1/4 Cup chopped fresh parsley (the Italian type is best)
1 cup dry white wine
5 slices whole-wheat bread, toasted and coarsely crumbled
1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
4 slices salt pork, thinly sliced (optional)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Lemon wedges
Parsley sprigs
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse fish well under
cold water, dry with paper towels, rub with salt and pepper inside
and out. Over moderate heat melt butter in a heavy skillet; when
butter foam subsides, add shallots or onions, garlic, and celery.
Reduce heat and sauté about 5 minutes, or until vegetables
are wilted. Stir occasionally. Add a little more butter if indicated.
Turn heat to high, add mushrooms and cook 3 or 4 minutes more.
Add chervil, sage, savory, basil, parsley, and 1/2 cup of the
wine; stir well, reduce heat, and let simmer for several minutes.
Remove skillet from heat, stir in bread crumbs and
grated cheese, lifting lightly with a fork to combine all ingredients.
Additional salt and pepper may be added, if required. Allow mixture
to cool slightly.
Place one fillet on shallow baking pan lined with
greased foil. If fish slabs are thick and it looks as though the
dish would be unwieldy when assembled, lay two pieces of twine
on pan first and use to tie stuffed fillets together. Use larger
piece of fish for bottom, if they differ. Arrange stuffing neatly
on top of fish, then lay second fillet on that.
Press stuffing inward if needed to help hold it
in place. Rub top of fish with olive oil and dust lightly with
salt and pepper if desired. Optional salt-pork slices should be
added at this point. Tie with twine if needed.
In a small saucepan heat remaining wine and olive
oil and the lemon juice. Pour it over fish and bake, uncovered,
about 30 to 45 minutes, or until fish flakes easily when pierced
with a fork. While the fish is baking, baste it three or four
times with the liquids in the baking pan. Transfer fish to a heated
platter and discard twine.
Serve the fish very hot, garnished with lemon wedges
and sprigs of parsley.Makes 6 to 8 portions.
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