Monday, November 26, 2007

grilled striped bass with orange-saffron butter

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Look for fish that's 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. It sounds counterintuitive, but farmed fish is a better choice when raised inland, in recirculating water (rather than in crowded netpens in the wild). At the market, ask your fishmonger where the fish comes from.

Servings: Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 teaspoon Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
Large pinch of saffron threads
Coarse kosher salt or coarse sea salt
6 whole farm-raised striped bass or trout (about 1 pound each), gutted, cleaned, top fin cut off
2 large oranges; 1 juiced, 1 halved, then thinly sliced
Nonstick vegetable oil spray

Directions

Whisk butter, juice concentrate, vinegar, and saffron in small saucepan to blend. Season butter to taste with coarse salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Using small sharp knife, cut diagonal slits on both sides of fish at 1-inch intervals. Arrange fish on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle fresh orange juice and salt into slits and cavities of fish. Fill cavities with orange slices (about 3 per fish). Cover loosely and let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

Spray grill racks and fish generously with nonstick spray. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place saucepan with orange-saffron butter at edge of grill to warm through, stirring occasionally. Arrange fish on barbecue. Grill until just opaque in center, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Serve with warm seasoned butter.

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