monkfish with mashed potatoes, leeks au gratin

2021-06-18

Another Covid-quarantine fish. Out of boredom with the limited supply in middle-of-nowhere small-town USA, I turned to the internet, specifically to find new fish flavors. And monkfish surely has them.

Monkfish aka 'poor man's lobster' aka 'stargazer' aka 'sea devil' is a large deep-sea fish with a huge head and razor-sharp teeth. The body appears ridiculously small compared to the head.

The name 'poor man's lobster' is well deserved. One of the first comments by Marielos: "It tastes a bit like lobster." The oversize-shrimp shape and very firm consistency of the meat only add to the similarities. And yet, so much cheaper than real lobster: only $10.5/lb. in June 2021, S&H included.

Not surprisingly, many monkfish recipes are similar to lobster recipes. This one is with parsleyed butter.
I should have added the potatoes to the leek ramekins instead of underneath the fish. They caused the bottom-side of the fish to be undercooked just a little bit.

internet pictures

Pic1-3: monkfish, monkfish tail, bacon-wrapped monkfish

A face only mommy could love

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 2 servings:

1 lb. monkfish tail
2-3 cups stewed leeks
2 cups mashed potatoes
1 stick of butter
S&P, seasoning of your taste

Pic4: monkfish tail, served

Directions

2021-06-18

Pic5+6: frozen monkfish tails, fresh from the truck
Pic7: unwrapped, thawed

Quick-thaw the monkfish in cold water.
Drain and dry with paper towels.
Cut into 3/4" slices.
The result looks rather like large scallops.

Pic8: ready for the oven
Pic9: in the oven
Pic10: all done

Arrange the pieces of monkfish in an oven-proof dish.
Do NOT add the mashed potatoes like I did, but bake them in a separate container.
The fish will cook quicker and more evenly without.
Add up to 1 stick of butter and seasoning to taste.
I used S&P, blacken spices, Old Bay seafood spices.
Bake in the oven for 15-25 minutes @ 350 ºF until fully cooked through = opaque, not glassy anymore.
When fully cooked, the visual similarity with lobster tails is even more pronounced.

Pic11-13: leeks, mashed potatoes, cheese

Spoon the stewed leeks into an oven-proof dish.
Add the mashed potatoes on top.
Optionally, add grated cheese.
Bake 20-30 minutes in the oven @ 350 ºF or until the top is golden-brown.

Pic14-16: served

Serve the fish with leeks and potatoes on the side.
Enjoy.

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more and avemariasongs.org

See also: Deming, NM gardens, animals and more
and avemariasongs.org