PAN ROASTED BLACK GROUPER WITH WILD AMERICAN SHRIMP, BLACK-EYED PEA CAKES, APPLEWOOD SMOKED BACON AND FRISEE SALAD AND SMOKED TOMATO COULIS

Steps:

• Pan Roasted Black Grouper: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Season the fillets with the salt and pepper. In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over a high flame, not quite to smoking point. Add in the butter, then quickly, just as the butter begins to brown, place the fillets in the hot oil. Allow the fish to brown well before turning it over, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the fillets and brown the other side. Once the fish is browned, place the fillets on a parchment paper lined sheet pan. Finish baking the fish in the oven, about 3 to 4 more minutes.
• Wild American Shrimp: Using a very sharp knife, split the shrimp lengthwise, taking special care to keep the head attached. Rub the meaty part of the shrimp with half of the olive oil, then sprinkle the flesh with the seafood seasoning. Heat the remaining oil in a large nonstick saute pan until just about smoking. Add in the butter, then carefully place the shrimp, meat side down in the pan. Allow the shrimp to brown then gently turn them to their shell side. Lower the heat slightly and continue cooking for 3 to 5 more minutes, until shrimp is completely cooked.
• Black-Eyed Pea Cakes: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• With your hands or a potato masher, smash the black-eyed peas, leaving a few peas whole. Add green onion, red pepper, spices, and egg. Mix thoroughly. Add cheese and bread crumbs and mix well. Divide the mix into 6 (2 1/2-inch) balls. Flatten balls to 3-inches in diameter and about 1/2-inch thick. This may be done a day ahead of time, covered and stored in the refrigerator. Heat butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Lightly dust both sides of the cakes with seasoned flour and place them in the skillet to brown. Leave enough room between cakes to be able to flip them over. When cakes are brown on both sides, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for 7 minutes, or until heated through.
• Frisee Salad: Wait until just before assembling the plates to mix the salad.
• Over a low heat, warm the olive oil and the shallot slightly. Remove from the heat and mix together all ingredients except for the frisee and the bacon. Gently toss the Frisee with the dressing mix and divide among the 6 plates. Sprinkle the salad with the bacon.
• Smoked Tomato Coulis: In a small stainless steel sauce pot, heat the olive oil over a low heat. Place the shallots, garlic, salt and cayenne pepper in the hot oil and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often to prevent browning. Add in the peeled and seeded smoked tomatoes and cook over a low heat for about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for about 10 to 15 minutes. Place the cooled mixture into the blender and puree until smooth. Stir in vinegar and hold warm until ready to serve.
• To assemble the entire dish before serving: Place the black-eyed pea cakes in the center of each plate. Arrange the frisee salad just behind the pea cake. Take 2 halves of the cooked shrimp and place them so that the head portions meet at the top of the frisee salad. Place the cooked grouper atop the pea cake and place a small pool of the smoked tomato coulis near the front of the dish.