Smoked Sable Tartare with Beets and Watercress















Although this recipe calls for eating the Smoked Sable raw, you can indeed cook it if you like. It is delicious raw or cooked. With that being said, here is a fine recipe for the raw version -   

Note: Can be made with any smoked whitefish. If using uncured fish remember that the tartare is safe only for 2 hours so do not make in advance. Also, serve on frozen plates.

Ingredients (Makes 8 first course servings) 3 medium beets (about 1 1/2 pound with greens)
2 T finely chopped shallots
2 T white-wine vinegar
3 T fresh lemon juice, or to taste .
½ t Kosher salt
½ t freshly ground pepper
¼ t sugar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ pound sliced smoked sablefish (black cod), chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)
2 bunches watercress, torn into small sprigs

Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle. Trim beets, discarding stems and greens, then wrap together in foil and roast until tender, about 1 ¼ hours. Let beets stand in foil at least 15 minutes, then remove from foil and cool. Remove skins and cut beets into 1/3 inch diced pieces. Whisk together shallots, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper, then whisk in oil. Reserve 2 tablespoon vinaigrette for watercress and toss remainder with beets. Let marinate at room temperature 30 minutes. Serving: Drain beets in a sieve set over a bowl and set beet vinaigrette aside. Put pastry ring in center of a salad plate and gently press about 2 ½ tablespoons fish into bottom of ring, then put about ¼ cup beets over fish. Repeat on 7 more plates. Toss watercress with reserved 2 tablespoons vinaigrette and mound over beets (a small handful per plate). Drizzle a little beet vinaigrette around each plate. Further notes: •Beets can be roasted and tossed with vinaigrette 1 day ahead, then chilled. Chill reserved vinaigrette separately. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. •Watercress sprigs can be prepared (but not tossed with vinaigrette) 1 day ahead and chilled, wrapped in dampened paper towels in a large sealable bag.

 (Adapted from an Epicurious recipe.)

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