Almonds grow abundantly in Spain—you see the trees throughout the South and easily find fresh almonds, which are a rarity here—and play an integral role in many dishes, offering a rich flavor and body to sauces. This dish is a perfect weeknight offering, but it’s also a fine main course at a dinner party. I like monkfish here, but striped bass, grouper, red snapper, and black sea bass are all suitable; each will cook at slightly varying rates (the monkfish will take the most time, red snapper the least). This is wonderful over either white rice or a pilaf (page 513) or with crusty bread.
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat half the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bread pieces and almonds and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Transfer to a food processor. Add the remaining oil to the skillet and heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and paprika, then transfer the mixture to the food processor.
Step 2
Process the mixture until coarsely ground, then, with the machine running, add the wine. Continue processing until a smooth paste is formed. Return the mixture to the skillet and stir in the stock.
Step 3
Bring the mixture to a steady simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, season the fish with salt and pepper and place in a casserole. When the sauce is cooked, season it with salt and pepper and pour over the fish.
Step 4
Put the fish in the oven and bake, uncovered, until the point of a thin-bladed knife inserted into the thickest part of the fish meets little resistance (monkfish will remain firm, but there will be a noticeable difference between underdone and done). Garnish and serve hot.
