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Potato Scaled Fish - oh so French.. oh so delicious!

Potato Scaled Fish – Inspired by Paul Bocuse

An elegant way to prepare fish – try my foolproof recipe to cook this classic dish. Paul Bocuse, the father of French gastronomy inspired the dish… I have added a wonderful Brown Butter-Garlic Drizzle with Parsley Oil

Potato Scaled Black Sea Bass inspired by Paul Bocuse. Oh so French… oh so delicious!
In 2011 French Chef Paul Bocuse poses outside his famed Michelin three-star restaurant L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges in Collonges-au-Mont-d’or, central France. Situated on the outskirts of Lyon, this restaurant held 3-star since 1965, the longest in Michelin star history.
Paul Bucose
Paul Bucose’s Restaurant in L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges in Collonges-au-Mont-d’or, central France.
Paul Bocuse was born in 1926 and is widely credited with being the father of French gastronomy. Being one of the most important chefs associated with nouvelle cuisine (which stresses the importance of fresh and high-quality ingredients), his influence on the genre is immeasurable, and he’s received many awards throughout the course of his career. Many of his students have become famous chefs themselves. During his extensive travels, across several decades, he’s tirelessly promoted French cuisine and has established many restaurants and culinary institutions. The Bocuse d’Or has long been regarded as the world’s most prestigious award for chefs.

A Note from Karen:

Paul Bocuse died on January 20th – The most famous French chef since Escoffier was 91, and a man who’s endless talents turned the restaurant to a three-star Michelin status…. for 55 years – a world record.
Bocuse was responsible for bringing the kitchen teams and their chefs out of their anonymity and into the spotlight and was probably the world’s first celebrity chef.  It has held its three star ranking since 1965.

So, I was thinking of one of his classic fish treatments, and thought I would make potato scaled fish – so that any home cook could achieve great results.

I chose Black Sea Bass Fillets – a firm white fish with a pleasant, sweet flavor. Enough body to hold up under the potato scales without flaking. You can also try halibut (which is thicker) and remove the skin.

Potato “Scales” over Local Black Sea Bass

Yes – you can learn how to prepare this Classic French Dish, for you, your loved ones or company. Big rewards, wonderful flavor… not too much butter!

The fish must be fresh! Buy from a fishmonger you trust. Don’t be embarrassed to ask “when did it come in?”
I bought my fish out in eastern Connecticut at Sea Well Seafood in Mystic. They sell what comes off the boats… everyday.
If you are unsure when the fish has been filleted – purchase a whole fish and ask to fillet it for you.

The recipe: The method is simple – just needs a little time to get it right!

  • Salt & pepper the fillets. Using a mandoline – cut cleaned fingerling potatoes very thinly. Add them to a steamer basket and steam for just 3 minutes until partially cooked and sticky. Sticky is good… that will help them stick to the fish
  •  Brush the fish with clarified butter, add the potatoes in tight rows to mimic the scales of fish
  • Brush all over the potato scales with a little clarified butter
  • Add the fish to individual pieces of parchment paper on a plate and refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes. (The paper helps you invert the fish – potato side down in the skillet)
  • Cook the fish in just a bit of clarified butter until the underneath potatoes are golden and crusty]
  • Place the fillets on a baking pan and cook in the oven a few minutes to finish cooking the fish throughout
  • Serve the fish with a simple and easy Brown Butter Garlic Sauce – I love to add some Parsley Oil and a big wedge of lemon
Potato Scaled Fish ~ Inspired by Paul Bocuse
Potato “Scales” over Local Black Sea Bass

Enjoy this classic French Dish! (Thanks to Paul for the inspiration.)
Karen

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Potato Scaled Fish inspired by Paul Bocuse

Potato Scaled Fish – Inspired by Paul Bocuse

An elegant way to prepare fish – try my foolproof recipe to cook this classic dish. Paul Bocuse, the father of French gastronomy inspired the dish… I have added a wonderful Brown Butter-Garlic Drizzle with Parsley Oil
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound Black Sea Bass Fillets use the freshest fish you can buy; about 3 fillets 
  • 1 tablespoons clarified butter* (see recipe)
  • 4 large fingerling potatoes scrubbed, I use 5" ones
  • few pinches salt & pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Parsley Oil* (see recipe)
  • 2 large lemon wedges

Instructions

  • The recipe: The method is simple – just needs a little time to get it right! Here is the recipe step-by-step so you can achieve great results.
  • Make the Clarified Butter, Easy Browned Butter Garlic Sauce and Parsley Oil. If not making Parsley Oil, add a few teaspoons of fresh chopped herbs to the Browned Butter Garlic Sauce (recipe below.)
  • On a large plate or cutting board – arrange 3 pieces of parchment paper, a little larger than the fish. (For three fillets.) Place a fillet on each piece. This makes it super-easy to invert each fillet into the pan! Season with salt & pepper all over.

Fingerling Potatoes:

  • Set a steamer basket in a pot to fit, add water, and bring to a boil. Slice the fingerling potatoes very thinly using a mandoline, then scatter them in the steamer and cover.
    Steam for just 3 minutes until partially cooked and sticky. Sticky is good… that will help them stick to the fish. Remove the cover – place next to the fish on the counter.
  • Brush the fillets with a smear of clarified butter. Add the potatoes in tight rows to mimic the scales of fish. (See photo.) Brush all over the potato scales with a little clarified butter. (Use a total of 1 T. clarified butter in this step.)
    Refrigerate for 30 minutes until cold and firm.

To Cook

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon of clarified butter into a large non-stick skillet or seasoned cast iron skillet. Heat to medium – high. Add fillets, potato side down one at a time, remove the parchment paper. Gently press down on each fillet with a metal spatula.
  • Cook for 3 – 5 minutes until the potatoes are golden and crusty. Have a rimmed baking tray ready. Quickly remove the fish from the skillet with a large spatula – inverting, potatoes side up.
  • Place fish in the oven. Finish cooking the fish throughout until done inside – this will depend on the thickness if the fish.. mine was done in 5 minutes. Remove fish to individual plates and spoon some Brown Butter Garlic Sauce on the plate, drizzle with Parsley Oil. Serve with a large wedge of lemon & enjoy!

*How to Clarify Butter

  • (Butter that has been cooked to remove any water and solids.) In a small saucepan, melt 2 T. unsalted butter over medium-low heat. As the butter melts, skim off the white foam that rises to the top. Once the butter is melted and the foam is skimmed (this will take about 5 -7 minutes), the milk solid sediment will be at the bottom of the pan with a layer of golden liquid on top. Carefully pour the top layer – the clarified butter into a bowl.

Easy Browned Butter Garlic Sauce:

  • Melt 2 T. unsalted butter in a small skillet. Let the butter melt and cook, stirring often, until it’s nutty and browned, 3 to 5 minutes – stirring occasionally and skimming foam as necessary. Take off heat. Wait one minute until it has cooled slightly. Add 1/2 t. minced garlic and stir well. Add a pinch of salt and spoon around the fish. Add some Parsley Oil for a wonderful flavor.If not using Parsley Oil, you may add some fresh chopped herbs to the browned butter garlic sauce.

**Parsley Oil:

  • Use 1/2 cup packed, cleaned fresh parsley leaves. Blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, will be bright green. Add to a small bowl of ice water to totally cool. Strain and dry well in a few changes of paper towels.
    Add the parsley, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt to the carafe of a blender. Blend on low speed to high for at least one minute. Strain the oil in a with a mesh strainer into a small bowl.(You can use some to the parsley (what you strained out to add more body to the oil.) Store extra in a clean glass container in the refrigerator, use within a few weeks. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Notes

About Fish:
The fish must be fresh! Buy from a fishmonger you trust. Don’t be embarrassed to ask “when did it come in?” I bought my fish out in eastern Connecticut at Sea Well Seafood in Mystic. They sell what comes off the boats… everyday.
If you are unsure when the fish has been filleted – purchase a whole fish and ask to fillet it for you.
~ I chose Black Sea Bass Fillets – a firm white fish with a pleasant, sweet flavor. Enough body to hold up under the potato scales without flaking. You can also try halibut (which is thicker) and remove the skin.
This recipe may not be reproduced without the consent of its author, Karen Sheer
COURSE: Fish Course, Main Course Fish
CUISINE: French
KEYWORDS: Black Sea Bass, Paul Bocuse, Potato Scaled Black Sea Bass
Nutrition Facts
Potato Scaled Fish – Inspired by Paul Bocuse
Amount per Serving
Calories
574
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
134
mg
45
%
Sodium
 
134
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
2477
mg
71
%
Carbohydrates
 
87
g
29
%
Fiber
 
11
g
46
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
37
g
74
%
Vitamin A
 
149
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
 
103
mg
125
%
Calcium
 
86
mg
9
%
Iron
 
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

Potato Scaled Fish - oh so French.. oh so delicious!

To say hello, discuss a recipe, share one, or have a comment - I would love to know what you think!

    • Adrienne
    • 17 Feb 2024
    Reply

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe three times – so incredibly delicious! I clarified the butter ahead of time. As the fish cooked I made the brown butter garlic sauce. I did like the parsley oil very much, but adding parsley to the butter sauce is a time saver. Yes, restaurant quality!! Make this recipe, 5 stars.

    1. Reply

      Well thank you Adrienne for your wonderful review! So happy to hear you loved the recipe and have made it three times! Thanks too for the 5 star rating. ?Karen

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