Sautéed Skate Wing
Try this technique with any mild, flaky white fish, including sole, tilapia, or turbot, all of which work nicely with the sauce. Brown butter—or buerre noisette, created when butter is cooked until the milk solids turn golden brown—is one of those à la minute (cooked to order) sauces that should be a part of any home cook’s repertoire, since it can be altered in countless ways. Nuts are classically paired with browned butter, as their flavors are complementary; citrus juice or wine balances the richness; and other ingredients, such as herbs, provide complexity. Since this recipe is so quick to prepare, you need to have your mise en place at the ready before you heat the pan. Toast and chop the hazelnuts, suprême the citrus, and put salt, pepper, and flour in separate dishes (for seasoning and dredging the fish) set near the stove.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Dredge Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat as you season skate with salt and pepper and then dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
Step 2
Sauté When pan is hot, add oil and heat until shimmering. Add skate pieces, working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, and sauté until fish is golden brown underneath, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Carefully turn pieces over with a fish spatula and reduce heat to medium. Cook until fish is uniformly opaque and browned on the other side, about 1 1/2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Step 3
Brown butter Wipe pan with paper towels and set over medium-low heat. Drop butter pieces into pan and swirl constantly (to cook evenly) until butter is melted and golden brown, 30 to 60 seconds. Stir in thyme and citrus juices; the butter will spatter a bit. Add hazelnuts, then remove from heat.
Step 4
Serve Divide skate pieces among plates, arrange three grapefruit segments over each serving, and drizzle evenly with hazelnut brown butter. Serve immediately.
Ingredients
Step 5
Skate is a type of ray fish, with flat pectoral fins (called wings) that give it a batlike appearance. The wings are the most desirable part of the fish, with a delicate, flaky texture. They are most commonly sautéed and served with brown butter and capers.
