Pecan crusted local black sea bass over vegetable ragout with carrot puree and spinach beurre blanc.

For the sea bass:

6 oz. fresh local black sea bass

1/2 cup crushed pecans, or enough to coat fish

1/2 cup seasoned flour (flour with salt and black pepper)

egg wash (2-3 beaten eggs with a tsp. of milk)

-place fish in flour, then egg wash, and finally in the crushed pecans (crust only top of fish, not both sides)

preheat nonstick pan on medium with enough olive oil to coat bottom of pan lightly (approximately 3-4 tablespoons)

place fish in the pan pecan side down and toast the pecans (approximately 1-2 minutes) and then turn fish to cook bottom side (1-2 minutes)

finish in a 350 degree oven until fish is cooked through and moist, approximately 135-140 degrees internal temperature

For the vegetable ragout:

1/4 of each vegetable, small diced

sweet potato, peeled and blanched

zucchini

parsnip, peeled and blanched

yellow onion

1/2 clove minced fresh garlic

1/2 teaspoon of minced fresh shallot

sautee the vegetables together over high heat in approximately 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of butter with salt and pepper to taste until tender

For the carrot puree:

peel and rough chop 3-4 large carrots

add the carrots to 3 quarts of boiling stock (vegetable or chicken), 4 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cinnamon stick, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and salt to taste

cook carrots until tender, around 10 minutes

remove carrots, strain liquid and reserve

puree carrots with 1/4 cup sour cream and add reserved liquid until puree is smooth

For the spinach beurre blanc:

blanch 1 packed cup of fresh spinach, strain, reserve the liquid

puree spinach adding some liquid if necessary until very smooth, set aside

–prepare beurre blanc

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup of champagne vinegar

1 shallot cut in half

1 teaspoon whole mixed peppercorns

1 bay leaf

a few sprigs each of fresh thyme and tarragon

2 tablespoons of heavy cream

2 sticks of unsalted butter cut in teaspoon size cubes (keep chilled)

add all ingredients together except butter and cream in saucepan

reduce over medium low heat until there is approximately 2-3 tablespoons of liquid left (do not let liquid dry out completely)

reduce heat to low

then add heavy cream and let reduce for about 15 more seconds

remove chilled butter and begin adding butter cubes a few at a time (3-4 cubes) constantly whisking to emulsify sauce (let butter melt completely into the sauce before adding more cubes, remove from heat occasionally if needed so not to break sauce)

remove from heat and adjust flavor with salt and touch of lemon juice

strain through fine mesh chinois

add pureed spinach to desired color and consistency

For the garnish: sweet potato

sweet potato guafrettes
microgreens

Plating the dish:
Decorate plate with carrot puree, add vegetable ragout, add fish, top with spinach beurre blanc, garnish!