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Pan-Roasted Fish on Mushroom-Leek Ragout





Yields
Makes 4 servings




Total Time
35 mins

Sprinkle some fresh thyme leaves over this deeply flavored dish. Prep and Cook Time: 35 minutes.

Pan-Roasted Fish on Mushroom-Leek Ragout




Dan Goldberg
 2 slices bacon (2 oz.), chopped
 1 pound portabella mushroom caps, gills trimmed out, rinsed and sliced
 2 leeks (1 lb. total), white parts only, rinsed and thinly sliced
 1/4 cup finely diced carrot
 1/4 cup finely diced celery
 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
 1/2 cup dry white wine
 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  Salt and fresh-ground pepper
 1/2 ounce dried porcini or shiitake mushrooms
 4 pieces (1 in. thick; 5 oz. each) boned, skinned tender, white-fleshed fish, such as sturgeon or black cod, rinsed and dried
 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Step 1
1

In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, stir bacon often until browned and crisp, 6 to 7 minutes. Add portabellas and stir often until golden brown, about 5 minutes; pour into a bowl. Add leeks, carrot, and celery to pan; reduce heat to medium and stir often until vegetables are soft, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2
2

Return portabellas to pan and add chicken broth, wine, and thyme; simmer, stirring often, until liquid is almost evaporated, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 450°. In a spice or coffee grinder, grind dried mushrooms to a fine powder; pour into a wide, shallow bowl. Sprinkle both sides of fish with salt and pepper, then coat with the ground mushrooms.

Step 4
4

Pour olive oil into another large, ovenproof frying pan over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook until browned on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn pieces and transfer pan to oven. Bake just until fish is opaque in center of thickest part, about 8 minutes.

Step 5
5

Divide mushroom-leek ragout among four plates. Top with fish.

Step 6
6

Wine pairing: Earthy, smoky Pinot Noir with mushroom notes under dark berry flavors. Best in our pairing: Tandem Sangiacomo Vineyard 2002 (Sonoma Coast; $38), Foxen 2004 (Santa Maria Valley, CA; $28), WillaKenzie Pierre Léon Vineyard 2003 (Willamette Valley, Yamhill/Carlton, OR; $36), and Estancia Stonewall Vineyard 2003 (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA; $30).

Step 7
7

Flavor bridges: Pinot Noir can be meaty without being heavy and tannic; tender, white-fleshed fish like sturgeon is also meaty but lean (as are portabella mushrooms). Smokiness in the wine plays off the bacon in the ragout, and mushroom flavors--well, Pinot is about the only wine that offers them flat out.

Step 8
8

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0


Amount Per Serving
Calories 349Calories from Fat 49
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g30%

Saturated Fat 5.1g26%
Cholesterol 95mg32%
Sodium 213mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 15g5%

Dietary Fiber 3.2g13%
Protein 29g58%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.