SKATE WING/AILE DE RAIE


SKATE WING IN BLACK BUTTER SAUCE/RAIE AU BEURRE NOIR

Skate are bottom-dwelling fish that look something between a fish and a sting ray. These fish are a member of the ray family, a cousin of sharks, with pectoral fins that are so large that they appear to be wings, hence the term "skate wing."

It is amazing how with the addition of simple ingredients like browned butter, vinegar, capers and parsley can turn an ordinary fish into a French masterpiece.  For people who do not like lots of bones in fish, this is ideal as the creamy flesh comes away from the bone with no fuss or bother, and they're really easy to cook.



Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 skate wings
1 slice of onion
2 parsley stalks
Pinch of salt
6 black peppercorns

Beurre Noir:
60g butter
30ml white wine vinegar
1 tbsp capers
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method:

Place the skate wings in one layer into a large pan.  Completely cover the fish with water and add the onion, parsley stalks, salt and peppercorns.  Bring gently to the boil with the pan uncovered.  Allow to simmer gently for around 15 to 20 minutes.

Lift the fish out onto a serving plate and remove any skin or large pieces of bone.  Take care not to break up the fish.

In a small pan, add the butter and cook over high heat until it begins to brown.  Add the capers and immediately remove the butter from the heat.  Add the vinegar, which will cause the butter to bubble.  Add the parsley and pour immediately over the fish and serve immediately.

I like to serve with boiled new potatoes and veg.

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