
Paul Cooper is head chef and co-owner of Bishop Sessa in Surry Hills, where he takes a casual approach to modern European dining. Paul’s food highlights his passion for small producers and nose-to-tail cooking. He focuses on using local, sustainable produce wherever possible.
This dish was created for a Sustainable Seafood dinner that Paul held at O’Connell’s Hotel in Melbourne towards the end of 2011. The dinner was held with the Australian Conservation Society (ACF) to highlight the release of a new round of recognised sustainable products from Victorian fisheries.
Paul uses Gippsland Lake Black Bream when preparing this dish. If unavailable, any type of Bream will suit this recipe.
Preparation time: Serves 4
2 Gippsland Lake Black Bream, about 600gm each, filleted, scaled and pin bones removed
2 Tbs vegetable oil
Choucroute
1 white cabbage
3 white onions
300g smoked bacon trim
300g pancetta
200ml duck fat
1L white wine
1 bouquet garni (a bundle of aromatic herbs tied together with string or cloth - use parsley, thyme & bay leaf as a starting point)
Baby Carrots
2 bunches baby carrots
Red Wine Bearnaise
200ml red wine
100ml port
100ml merlot vinegar
2 sprig thyme
1 bay leaf
5 sprigs tarragon
400ml clarified butter, warm
4 egg yolks
Extra merlot vinegar for adjusting