Skate with Wild Mushrooms in Pearl Sauce

Ingredients for Skate with Wild Mushrooms in Pearl Sauce

• 1 small leek (white and pale green parts only), chopped

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 medium carrot, chopped

• 1/2 medium onion, chopped

• 1 garlic clove

• 60ml dry white wine

• 475ml water

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

• 1 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprig

• 1 fresh thyme sprig

• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

• 1 tablespoon crumbled dried porcini*

• 1 tablespoon quick-cooking tapioca

• 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

• 170g mixed fresh mushrooms, such as oyster and chanterelle, trimmed and halved lengthwise or quartered if large

• 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 1/8 teaspoons black pepper

• 1 celery rib, thinly sliced diagonally

• 1 1/2 tablespoons plain flour

• 1/4 teaspoons curry powder

• 2 (5- to 170g ) pieces skate fillet, halved crosswise if large

• 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/8 teaspoons black pepper

• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

How to make Skate with Wild Mushrooms in Pearl Sauce

Wash chopped leek well in a bowl of cold water, agitating it, then lift out and pat dry.

Heat oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté leek, carrot, onion, and garlic clove, stirring frequently, until vegetables are soft and well browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in wine and deglaze saucepan by boiling, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, 1 minute.

Add water, soy sauce, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and porcini and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 180ml , about 25 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass measure, lightly pressing on and then discarding solids. Transfer to a small saucepan. If you have more than 180ml , boil strained liquid a few minutes to reduce.

Heat butter and oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet until hot but not smoking, then sauté mushrooms with salt and pepper, stirring, until just tender and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add celery and sauté until bright green and crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm, covered with foil.

Bring broth to a simmer, then remove from heat and stir in tapioca. Let stand, covered, 10 to 15 minutes.

While sauce is standing, stir together flour and curry powder in a shallow bowl. Pat fish dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess and transferring to a plate as dredged.

Heat butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté fish, turning over once, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 5 minutes total.

Reheat sauce, then season with salt and pepper. Serve fish with sautéed mushrooms and sauce.

*Available at specialty foods shops.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.