Roasted White Hamachi with Ginger Risotto, Manila Clams and Spiced Coriander Sauce

Yield: 4 portions

Olive oil, divided – 4 Tbsp.
Onion, chopped – divided 2 cups
Celery, chopped – 1 cup
Riesling wine – 1 cup
Fish fumet or clam juice, divided – 6 cups
Lemon juice, divided – 1/2 cup
Salt and pepper – to taste
Cilantro 2 cups
Serrano chiles – seeded 2
Grapeseed oil – 1 cup
Shallot, finely diced – 1
Arborio rice – 1 cup
Unsalted butter – 4 Tbsp.
Parmigiano-Reggiano, – grated 1/2 cup
Ginger root, grated – 1 Tbsp.
Bay leaf – 1
White peppercorns – 6
White wine – 1/2 cup
Manila clams – 16
Hamachi fillet, cut into 4 pieces – 1 lb.

Method:

  1. For coriander sauce, place 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 cup onion and celery in saucepan and cook 5 minutes. Deglaze with wine; simmer 3 minutes. Add fumet or clam juice, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and salt and pepper. Add cilantro and chiles and purée with grapeseed oil until frothy. Adjust seasoning; set aside.
  2. For risotto, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in saucepan and sauté shallot. Add rice and sauté 2 minutes. Add 1/4 tsp. salt and gradually add 1 cup heated fumet or clam juice each time liquid is absorbed (4 cups total or more if necessary). Stir in butter 5 minutes before rice is done (toothy but not gritty to the bite). Stir in cheese and ginger. Set aside.
  3. To cook clams, bring 1 cup fumet or clam juice, bay leaf, peppercorns, white wine, remaining lemon juice and remaining 1 cup onions to boil. Add clams and simmer until they open; strain and keep warm.
  4. Season fish with salt and pepper. Heat sauté pan with remaining olive oil until very hot and sear fish, a few minutes each side.
  5. To serve, divide risotto onto 4 plates, placing a piece of fish on each plate. Place 4 clams around the fish. Drizzle sauce over fish and clams.