Pan Seared Fish With Cucumber Jalapeno Slaw - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs grouper, mahi mahi, tilapia or 1 1/2 lbs fish, of choice cut into equal fillets
1 teaspoon creole seasoning
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, drizzle (recipe below)
12 asparagus spears, cooked
4 fresh fresh cilantro stems
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Balsamic Drizzle
1 1/4 cups balsamic vinegar
Sweet Potato Mash
2 quarts water, hot
1 tablespoon salt
4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled, 2-inch dice
3/4 cup milk
2 ounces butter, 1/2-inch dice
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
Cucumber Jalapeno Slaw
1 lb cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and cored, cut into 1/8-inch rings
1 small red onion, sliced and seperated into rings
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon creole seasoning
1/4 teaspoon cumin, fresh ground
1/2 ounce fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 splash habaneros or 1/2 favorite hot sauce

Preparation

To Make Cucumber Jalapeno Slaw: Place the sliced cucumbers, red and yellow bell peppers, jalapeno and red onions in a stainless mixing bowl.
Combine the remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix with a wire whip until evenly blended. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables and toss until evenly blended. Adjust seasoning with additional kosher salt, if desired.
Chill for at least 4 hours before using.
Reduced Balsamic Glaze: Gently heat balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan, reducing to until very thick, but pourable, to about 1/4 cup; funnel into a squeeze bottle. Refrigerate. (Note: Simmer low and slow to produce a sweet sauce. High heat and quick cooking will make the sauce bitter.).
Sweet Potato Mash: Place the peeled and diced sweet potatoes in a 6 quart pot. Add hot water and salt, then place the stockpot on the stove over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 35 minutes or until an inserted fork in the sweet potatoes pierce easily.
Heat the milk, butter, white pepper and cinnamon in a small stockpot until warm, then set aside.
Drain the water from the sweet potatoes and transfer them into a mixing bowl. Using a wire whisk, mash until sweet potatoes are broken up. Add the warm seasoned milk and spices, mix again until the sweeet potatoes are smooth - being careful not to over mix. If needed, season with additional salt to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley.
For the Fish: Heat oil in nonstick pan to high heat. Season fish with creole seasoning blend and place in hot saute pan cooking for 2-3 minutes until it has a seared color. Flip the fish over and finish cooking until done or until 145 degrees F.
Make 5-6 zig-zags with the reduced balsamic drizzle on each plate. Place the hot sweet potato mash in the center of plate and place 3 spears of asparagus radiating out from mash to the side. Place the fish slaw, and lay a cilantro sprig atop the slaw.
Garnish each plate with a lemon and lime slice and sprinkle with chopped chives.