Pan-Seared Grouper with Shrimp Sauce

Prepared by Laura for supper August 20, 2010, a Friday night!

1 lb grouper cut into 2-3 oz serving portions
1/2 lb raw peeled deveined shrimp, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cloves minced garlic
1 leek thinly sliced
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 green onion, green part only
1 large red bell pepper,thinly sliced
1/2 c grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 c dry white wine
1/3 c chicken stock
1/3 c half and half
2 t chopped fresh oregano
1 t fresh thyme
3 t chopped fresh dill
2 T tomato paste
1 t Old Bay seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c flour with scant salt and pepper
6 T extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), divided
3 T butter, divided

Sauce:
Add about 3 T EVOO and 2 T butter to a sauté pan and melt over low heat. Add garlic, leeks and shallot and cook about 1 minute over medium heat. Add red bell pepper and cook until nearly tender. Add shrimp and cook until pink. Add white wine and simmer to reduce the liquid. Add chicken stock and bring to a slow simmer. Turn heat down so liquid doesn’t boil, but added ingredients are warmed.  Add half and half, tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, and Old Bay. Taste to adjust salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.
Grouper:
In a separate pan, melt remaining EVOO and butter and bring temperature up to sear the grouper. Very lightly coat the fish with flour, shaking off excess.  Add to pan to fry.  Cooking time depends on thickness of fish – watch for golden brown color and turn to other side.  Remove from pan and keep warm.
Serving suggestion:
Prepare buttered Basmati rice and put onto center of plate.  Arrange fish on rice and top with a generous serving of sauce. Goes well with a crisp dry white wine. Serves 2-3.
Sauce would work well with any firm white fish or salmon.