Coulibiac of Salmon with Pickled Beets and Kale
Once the centerpiece on the tables of czars, coulibiac has a storied past. The pastry-wrapped parcel of fish and various layered fillings started its life as kulebyaka, a Russian delicacy, before being commandeered by the French and rechristened coulibiac. This modern update on the classic swaps labor-intensive brioche with store-bought phyllo, which bakes into an ethereally crisp parcel that encases lemony rice, mustard-brushed salmon, pickled beets, and garlicky kale. Each slice reveals clean, vibrant layers, packed with bold flavors. It’s a striking and delicious dish worthy of the center of any holiday table. Curly kale holds its green color beautifully even after cooking, but any hearty green, like lacinato kale or collards, will work here. Use whole-grain mustard, which adds a bit of acid and heat to the salmon, as well as a nice textural contrast from the crunchy mustard seeds. King salmon is best for this recipe; its high fat content delivers superior texture and flavor.
Kwame’s Escovitch Snapper
Inspired by his travels in Jamaica, 2019 F&W Best New Chef Kwame Onwuachi shared this recipe for escovitch snapper. In Jamaica, escovitch fish—fish that’s fried and then topped with pickled, thinly sliced vegetables—is everywhere. In chef Kwame Onwuachi’s version, a garlicky marinade forms a crust as the fish cooks, adding flavor and keeping the snapper moist and tender, and a pickled tangle of thinly sliced chiles, carrot, and onion—makes a punchy, crunchy topping for crispy fried whole snapper.
Coriander-Cured Trout Aguachile
Lightly curing the trout in salt, sugar, and crushed spices firms the fish, and infuses it with flavor before its served with a bright and tangy lime juice dressing. Substitute the spring onions with thinly sliced red or white onions, rinsed in cold water to mellow their sharper bite.
Seared Tuna Tiradito
At Cabra in Chicago, 2011 BNC alum Stephanie Izard channels her love of Peruvian cusine to deliver inspired takes on traditional ceviche and tiradito. At the restaurant, Izard dresses raw sushi-grade tuna steak with a creamy Kewpie mayonnaise-laced sauce, thinned with lime and orange juices, and studded with spicy serrano chiles. For a twist, try giving the tuna a quick sear in a screaming hot skillet to add another layer of complexity to the dish
These Are the Best Anchovies, According to Best New Chef Daisy Ryan
Packed with umami flavor and good enough to eat from the bowl like potato chips, Cantabrian anchovies are the king of tiny fish and one of Daisy Ryan's favorite ingredients.
