Redfish With Anchovies And Thyme Recipes

Steps:

• In a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or pot in which the beef will fit comfortably (the two pieces mustn't touch each other, and no scrunching at the ends), heat 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon oil over lowish heat. Add the shallots, sprinkle with a little salt, and sauté until soft and transparent but in no way coloring, about 5 minutes. Add the thyme and give 2 more minutes, stirring, then add the garlic and push about the pot.
• Add the anchovies and cook until they've started fusing with the oniony, buttery, oily mess in the pot. Transfer this shallot mixture to a bowl for a minute so you can brown the meat.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and turn up the heat. Pat the beef dry and season it all over with salt and pepper. Sear the beef on all sides, sprinkling with the sugar as you do so, till you've got a good crusty exterior. Add the brandy, let it bubble up a bit, then pour in the wine.
• Return the shallot mixture to the pot. Lower the heat and turn the meat over. Give everything a good stir to make sure the shallots, garlic and so on are not burning or sticking. Cover and cook for 10 minutes - the meat is braising, frying and steaming all at the same time; as it cooks it breathes in flavor.
• Uncover, peek in, prod or poke. If the meat is springy, it's rare; springy but with some resistance, medium-rare to medium. Turn the meat over, cover again, and leave for another 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your findings and taste. When the meat is almost as you like it, transfer it to a cutting board (it will cook a little more as it rests) and get on with the sauce. And you can do all this before you sit down for the first course.
• Fish out the garlic from the pot with a spoon. Then turn up the heat and let the sauce bubble up a good bit, and taste, adding salt, if needed, and pepper. You may want to add some water. Take off the heat, but warm up before serving, at which time you should first pour into it the meat juices that have run out of the cooked beef as it stands and whisk in the remaining chilled, diced butter.
• Carve the beef, arrange on a large, warmed platter, and surround with arugula. Drizzle over some of the sauce, leaving the rest in a sauce boat or pitcher for people to pour for themselves.

Steps:

• Cut away the fat from around the edge of the steak while you heat a griddle or pan.
• Brush the steak with oil to prevent it sticking to the griddle or pan, and then cook for 3 minutes a side plus 1 minute each side turned again (this gives you pretty griddle marks) for desirably rare meat; the lemon in the post-hoc marinade 'cooks' it a little more.
• While the steak is cooking, place the thyme leaves, garlic, oil, lemon zest, juice, salt and pepper in a wide shallow dish.
• Once the steak is cooked, place it in the dish of marinade for 4 minutes a side, before removing it to a board and slicing thinly on the diagonal.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, thyme and oregano. Mix well. Set aside.
• Place a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 10 minutes. It will get smoky, so turn on the exhaust fan and turn off the smoke detector.
• Meanwhile, pour 2 tablespoons of melted butter in each of 6 small ramekins; set aside and keep warm. Pour the remaining butter into a shallow bowl. Dip each fillet in the butter so that both sides are well coated. Sprinkle the spice mix generously and evenly on both sides of the fish, patting it on by hand.
• When the skillet is heated, place the fillets inside without crowding and top each with 1 teaspoon of melted butter. Cook, uncovered, until the underside looks charred, about 2 minutes. Turn the fillets over and again pour 1 teaspoon of butter on top; cook until done, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to warmed plates and repeat with the remaining fish. Serve immediately, with a ramekin of butter on each plate.

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes and onions in boiling water for 5-7 mins. Drain, then gently mix with the thyme, anchovies and some black pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and cook the pepper, covered, for 5 mins. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, bouillon and garlic, and cook for 8-10 mins more, uncovered, until the tomatoes have softened. You don't want this to be too wet, so continue to cook until any excess liquid has evaporated, if necessary.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Lay the cod loins in a shallow ovenproof dish and spoon over the tomato mixture, then the potato and onion mixture, in even layers. Sprinkle over the cheese. Bake for 30 mins until the cheese is golden and the fish is flaking but moist. Serve with the spinach on the side.