Okay, okay, okay. I get it! Some people are afraid to cook fish at home. But I can't really figure out why. I've tried to convince people that cooking fish is as easy as it is delicious. In the past I've shared a few simple methods for grilling and pan frying fish that I find easy to master. However, in case you still fear gill on the grill (or perch in the pan) let me introduce you to oil-poached fish. It's a very simple technique that results in the most tender, moist and luxurious seafood imaginable. Oil-poached fish is a revelation to cooks and non-cooks alike. It takes very little effort because it requires very low heat.
Cooking fish becomes quite simple once you learn that great results can be had at the gentlest temperatures. If you're grilling, grill over a mellow flame, not a blazing fire. If you're steaming or poaching, do it at the barest of simmers. Believe it or not you can cook salmon to flaky perfection in a 120°F oven. In fact cooking salmon low and slow reveals textures you never thought possible. Which isn't to say you can't get great tasting fish in a hot pan. It just takes a little more attention from the cook.
Not so with oil-poached fish. This foolproof method delivers the silkiest, most luxurious fish you've ever had.
Oil-Poached Fish: Choosing the Fish and the Oil
The best fish for oil poaching are rich in flavor and firm in texture. As I said shrimp, salmon, tuna and halibut are all perfect choices. The only trick is to choose steaks or fillets that are 3/4 to 1 inch thick.
The best oil for poaching is extra-virgin olive oil in my opinion. It has a rich, floral taste that requires very few amendments for the best flavor. However, this is not the time to reach for your most precious drizzling oil as poaching requires quite a bit of the stuff.
Oil-Poached Fish: Seasoning
Fish must be seasoned before cooking. The easiest way is to simply remove the fish from the refrigerator and shake a little salt and maybe a touch of pepper on both sides then let it sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. I use this method quite often because it takes no planning. However with just a little forethought I prefer to brine fish – much like you do with pork, turkey or chicken. It's a great way to get fish seasoned all the way through. It also helps keep the fish from drying out when cooked over high or direct heat. However it does something else. It firms the flesh, making it cook up a bit meatier and less likely to fall apart on the grill. I use a 5% brine solution. Which works out to be about 1/4 cup sea salt to 6 generous cups of icy water. Average size fish fillets will be seasoned and ready to cook in about 1 hour. Rinse and dry them thoroughly before cooking.
Oil-Poached Fish: The Pan
Choose a straight-sided sauté pan or saucepan that will hold the fish in a single layer. It's fine to crowd the pan as long as the fish doesn't overlap.
Oil-Poached Fish: Heat
Add just enough oil to submerge the fish completely. The heat the oil over low heat to 120°F. Use a candy or instant-read thermometer to check. Add the fish AFTER the oil has heated and continue to monitor the temperature during cooking.
Oil-Poached Fish: Timing
The most remarkable thing about this technique is that the timing is truly foolproof. Twenty-five minutes at a consistent 120°F will result in perfectly cooked seafood every time. It's important to start with room temperature fish. Fresh-from-the-fridge fish will throw off the cooking time. Let it sit for about an hour before poaching. No, you won't get food poisoning and die (provided of course you keep a semi-clean kitchen).
Oil-Poached Fish: Leftover Oil
Oil-poaching can take up to 6 cups of oil. Don't let that scare you off. You can use the oil 3 or 4 times to poach more seafood. Let it cool to room temperature and then strain it through a fine sieve lined with paper towels. Stop straining before you reach the bottom. The liquid released from the seafood will have settled there. Discard this last bit. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
GREG
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