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Peanut-Crusted Fish with Swiss Chard

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  • SERVINGS: 4
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The Swiss chard is a stand-in for the robust green sweet potato leaves Pépin discovered in Africa, and fresh trout replaces the Kalahari river bream he found there.

  1. 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  2. 4 garlic cloves, minced
  3. 1/3 cup toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds
  4. 2 pounds Swiss chard, stems removed, leaves coarsely chopped
  5. 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco, plus more for serving
  6. Salt and freshly ground pepper
  7. 1 large tomato, coarsely chopped
  8. 1 cup peanuts (5 ounces)
  9. 1 tablespoon cornmeal
  10. Four 5-ounce trout fillets
  11. 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
  12. Lemon wedges, for serving
  1. In a large deep skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil. Add the garlic and sunflower seeds and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the chard leaves, a handful at a time, and cook until just wilted before adding more. Continue cooking over moderate heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the 1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco and season with salt and pepper. Add the tomato to the chard and remove from the heat; keep warm.
  2. In a food processor, pulse the peanuts and cornmeal until finely ground. Spread on a plate. Lightly brush the trout fillets with the egg white; season with salt. Dip the trout in the ground peanuts, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1/2 cup of oil until shimmering. Add the trout fillets and fry over moderately high heat, turning once, until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes per side.
  4. Mound the chard on a large platter or plates. Top with the fish and serve with Tabasco and lemon wedges.

Suggested Pairing

A crisp South African Sauvignon Blanc will go well with both the robust chard and the mild fish.