Fish

Escabeche
Pickled King Fish

Escabeche will be found on most every Puerto Rican table on Good Friday. I personally can't remember a Good Friday that Mom did not have it already prepared. Once again like many of our dishes it entails a great deal of work and at least three days marinating in the refrigerator before it can really be appreciated. Once again this is one of those dishes that goes well with either white rice, boiled green bananas or boiled green plantains. Whatever side dish you decide to choose to go with, if you're a lover of fish I know that you won't be disappointed.
Ingredients:

1- Three to four pounds of King fish cleaned and sliced about one inch thick.
2- Two to two and half pounds of Spanish or Bermuda onions peeled and thinly sliced.
3- The juice of two limes.
4- Seasoned flour for dredging.
5- Two cups of olive oil.
6- One cup of vinegar.
7- Four bay leaves.
8- Twelve pepper corns.
9- One teaspoon of salt.
10- Three to four tablespoons of crushed garlic. (Note: This is optional and can be added to the onion mixture during the cooking cycle or after this is up to you)

Preparation:

1- In a large heavy pot, place oil, vinegar, salt, pepper corns and bring to a simmer. Add onions and allow to simmer slowly for about one hour.
2- While the onions are simmering rinse fish under cold water and place on a cutting board.
3- Pat the pieces of fish dry with a paper towel and then rub all sides with the lime juice.
4- Dredge fish in the seasoned flour make sure that it is completely covered with the flour coating and set aside. Once you have floured all of the fish place it in the refrigerator for at least a half hour.
5- Place about one quarter cup of oil in a heavy skillet and bring up to heat. Once the oil comes up to heat place a few pieces of fish in it and fry until golden brown on all sides. You may have to adjust the heat so as not to burn the fish.
6- Place a layer of the onion and oil mixture in to a large container that has a tight lid, preferably glass.
7- Place a layer of the fried fish into the container, now add another layer of the onion and oil mixture. Continue this process until you have added all of the fish. Make sure that you have enough of the onion and oil mixture to completely cover the last layer of fish.
8- Place in the refrigerator for at least three days turning the fish from bottom to top at least twice a day. Be careful not to break the pieces of fish when turning.

Good luck with this recipe if you follow these instructions you will really enjoy this dish.