I first had oil-poached fish in Napa Valley and loved the way this cooking method kept the fish so moist; you can’t really dry it out. You could prepare halibut or just about any other mild white fish this way. Be sure to use a mix of olive and vegetable oils to poach the fish; if you use 100 percent olive oil it will become too bitter. This is another really good-looking dish, with lots of pretty colors.
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Broccoli Rabe Pesto
Olive Oil–Poached Swordfish
Preparation
To Make the Pesto
Step 1
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli rabe and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked broccoli rabe to a large bowl of ice water and let cool, about 3 minutes. Shake off the excess water and transfer to a food processor. Add the garlic, walnuts, honey, salt, and pepper and process until very smooth. With the machine running, gradually pour in the extra-virgin olive oil. Transfer the pesto to a small bowl and stir in the Parmesan. Cover and set aside.
To Poach the Fish
Step 2
Combine the olive oil and vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or large, deep saucepan big enough to hold the fish in a single layer. Using a deep-fry thermometer, heat the oil to 200°F over medium-low heat. Reduce the heat to low to sustain the 200°F temperature. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Gently place the fish in the oil, making sure it is submerged. Poach the fish until just cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes.
Step 3
Place about 1/2 cup of broccoli rabe pesto on each serving plate and gently smooth it out to make a bed for the fish. Using a slotted fish spatula, gently transfer the cooked fish from the poaching oil to the serving plate, placing the fish on top of the bed of pesto. Serve immediately.
