Serves2
- Active Time:20 min
- Start to Finish:40 min
February 2008
While red mullet is Marco Pierre White's first choice for this dish, any small, whole, firm-textured fish will work well.
-
1/4
teaspoon
coriander seeds
-
3
navel oranges, at room temperature
-
2
tablespoons
extra-virgin olive oil
-
2
whole star anise
-
1
(2-inch) piece peeled ginger, cut into fine matchsticks
-
1 1/4
cups
peanut oil
-
2
(8- to 12-oz) whole red mullet, cleaned, with head and tail intact
-
Sea salt for sprinkling
-
Toast coriander in a dry small heavy skillet over medium heat, shaking skillet occasionally, until fragrant and a shade darker. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely crush with side of a large knife.
-
Juice enough oranges (1 to 2) to get 2/3 cup juice.
-
Boil juice in a small heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally, until slightly syrupy and reduced to about 1/4 cup, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in olive oil, star anise, and crushed coriander.
-
Meanwhile, cut peel and all white pith from remaining orange with a sharp paring knife, then cut segments free from membranes.
-
Put ginger in a small skillet with enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes, then drain.
-
Heat peanut oil in a 12- to 14-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
-
Meanwhile, pat fish dry and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt (total), then fry, turning once, until golden-brown and just cooked through, 4 to 8 minutes total (depending on size of fish). Serve topped with orange segments and ginger, drizzled with orange sauce, and sprinkled with sea salt.