SEA BREAM WITH ARTICHOKES AND CAPER DRESSING

At Inverlochy Castle, this dish is served with spinach and sautéed mushrooms, and tender asparagus tips are scattered over the fillets as a final garnish.

INGREDIENTS

Artichokes
3 1/3 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 onion, sliced
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 fresh thyme sprigs
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
1 fresh rosemary sprig
4 whole artichokes

Dressing
5 tablespoons olive oil
5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons drained capers

Potatoes
2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Fish
4 5- to 6-ounce sea bream, striped bass, or whitefish fillets
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons olive oil

PREPARATION

For artichokes:
Combine first 7 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, cut off stems and remove all leaves. Scrape out chokes, trim edges of hearts, and add to saucepan; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Cover pan and simmer until hearts are tender, about 35 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer hearts to plate. Cut hearts into 1/3-inch-thick slices. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)

For dressing:
Whisk oil, vinegar, and lemon peel in small bowl to blend; whisk in capers. Season dressing with salt and pepper.

For potatoes:
Cook potatoes in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain potatoes; return to same pan. Add butter and oil; mash until smooth. Season potatoes with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm before serving.)

For fish:
Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add artichoke slices to skillet. Sauté until heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Using slotted spoon, arrange artichokes in center of each of 4 plates; reserve skillet. Spoon 3/4 of warm potatoes atop artichokes on each plate; tent with foil to keep warm.

Return reserved skillet with butter mixture to medium-high heat. Add fish and sauté until just opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side. Arrange fish atop potatoes on each plate. Spoon dressing over fish and serve. Makes 4 servings.