Braised Red Snapper With Artichokes And Fresh Herbs

Directions

1. For the stock, rinse the fish bones. Cut off leek top for the stock and reserve white part for the sauce. Mince the onion. Put the leek top, onion, and celery in a stockpot, add in the fish bones, the water, thyme, whote garlic cloves, coriander seed, and bay leaf Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 min. Strain. Stock can be refrigerated for several days, or possibly it can be frzn.
2. Mince the onion. Cut the reserved white part of leek into very thin julienne stips. Quarter the carrot and cut into thin julienne strips. Crush the coriander seed. Remove leaves from artichokes and save for another dish. Cut artichoke bottoms into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Squeeze lemon juice over them.
3. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in pan over low heat. Add in the onion and julienned leek and cook, covered, till translucent/soft, about 1 1/2 min. Add in the carrot, whole garlic cloves, thyme, and crushed coriander seed and cook, covered, over low heat for 2 min. Add in the artichokes and white wine, stirring with a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan.
4. Cover and continue cooking over low heat till the artichokes are tender, about 15 min. Remove garlic cloves. Drain artichokes and reserve liquid for sauce.
5. Mince the shallots. Chop the parsley. Butter a baking pan.
6. Recipe can be made to this point several hrs ahead.
7. Heat oven to 400F. Put the shallots in prepared pan, add in the fish fillets, and season with salt and pepper. Add in 1 1/2 c. of fish stock, cover with foil, and braise in preheated oven for 20 min. Remove fillets to a hot platter. Reserve liquid for sauce. Gently reheat artichoke mix.
8. For the sauce, put the reserved liquid from artichokes and fish into a saucepan and reduce to 1/2 c. over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chop basil and add in it and parsley.
9. Arrange the artichoke slices around the edge of a serving platter. Put the fillets in the middle and pour sauce over.