Name: Swordfish Conserva with Creamy Polenta
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups olive oil; 3 cloves garlic; 10 fresh basil leaves; 1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes; 8 (1-inch-thick) swordfish steaks (about 4 pounds total); 8 cups whole milk; 2 cups heavy cream; 3 cups polenta (not instant or quick-cooking); 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, coarsely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, coarsely chopped; 1 tablespoon lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

This recipe was created by chef Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. It's part of a special menu he created for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program.

For the polenta, chef Mackinnon Patterson recommends Anson Mills Rustic Coarse Polenta.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

For swordfish conserva:

3 cups olive oil

3 cloves garlic

10 fresh basil leaves

1/8 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

8 (1-inch-thick) swordfish steaks (about 4 pounds total)

For polenta:

8 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

3 cups polenta (not instant or quick-cooking)

2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

To serve:

2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Make swordfish conserva:
Step 1
In heavy deep 12-inch sauté pan over moderate heat, heat oil until deep-fat thermometer registers 170°F. Carefully add garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes. Gently lower fish into oil and poach fish, adjusting heat to maintain temperature at 170°F, until fish is tender and no longer translucent, about 20 minutes. Carefully transfer both fish and oil to large heatproof bowl and refrigerate, uncovered, until cool, about 30 minutes.
Make polenta:
Step 2
In 6-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, combine milk and cream. Bring to boil, then gradually whisk in polenta. Cook, whisking constantly, until polenta starts to bubble, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, whisking for 1 minute every 10 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and polenta is thick and soft, about 45 minutes. Stir in tarragon, parsley, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and butter.
Assemble and serve:
Step 3
In small bowl, stir together tarragon, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Remove swordfish from oil (discard oil) and pat dry.
Step 4
Ladle 3/4 cup polenta into each of 8 warm bowls and top each with 1 swordfish steak. Top each steak with 1 teaspoon herb mixture and serve.

TagsSwordfish Fish Seafood Basil Herbs & Spices Garlic Root Vegetable Vegetable Polenta Rice & Grains Tarragon Parsley Main Dinner Gluten Free Nut Free Epicurious

Recipe information

Ingredients

For swordfish conserva:

For polenta:

To serve:

Preparation

Make swordfish conserva:

Step 1

Make polenta:

Step 2

Assemble and serve:

Step 3

Step 4

Recipe notes