Salpicon!'s Pescado al Tequila with arroz poblano
Tequila halibut wrapped and steamed in parchment and served with poblano rice
Ingredients
Rice:
- 1½ cups long grain rice
- 1 quart boiling water
- 1 cup canola oil
- 3 poblano chilies, seeds removed and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- Water as needed
- 1 tablespoon salt
Halibut:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 serrano chilies, finely chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 pound shiitakes, sliced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups tequila (blanco)
- 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
- 6 6-7 oz. fresh halibut fillets
- 6 sheets parchment paper (12 by 12 inches)
Directions
Soak the rice:
- In a medium size bowl soak the rice with boiling water for one hour, strain and rinse until the water runs clear.
- Let it sit in the strainer for the excess water to drain (about 5 minutes).
Prepare the halibut:
- In a medium-size skillet, heat the oil; saute onions and serrano chilies for about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the shiitakes; cook for 4 minutes and add salt and pepper.
- Add 1 cup of the tequila and flame.
- Remove from heat, add the cilantro. Let it cool at room temperature.
- Place the fish on top of parchment, sprinkle with some tequila and salt, scoop on top some of the mushroom mixture, fold the paper and seal.
- In a steamer cook the fish for 14 minutes or longer until the fish is done, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
Cook the rice:
- In a medium saucepan, heat the oil, add the rice and fry at medium heat for about 12 minutes stirring constantly, do not let it brown!
- Remove from heat and strain from oil and return it to the pan.
- In a blender, puree the poblano chilies, onion, garlic, and 3 cups of water and mix into the rice. Add 2 more cups of water and salt, bring to a boil, cover and lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. If needed, add more water until the rice is tender.
Serve the fish with the rice. 6 servings.