Bass Melt
Jesse GriffithsTexas chef and butcher Jesse Griffiths has been a long-time friend of MeatEater, hanging out with us on podcasts, hosting an episode of Das Boat, and many other good times. Jesse isn’t just a renowned chef, he runs a strictly local butcher Dai Due Butcher Shop, supper clubs, and a very cool hunting school to welcome anyone interested in hunting and preparing wild game. He’s also a serious hunter and angler, and the perfect person to lead Steve on a journey through the mid-coast region of Texas, fishing, gathering, hunting, and eating the whole way.
Duration
30 minutes
Serves
4
Chef’s notes
This freshwater version of the tuna melt works well with any fish with an assertive flavor like white bass (my preference), striped bass, black bass, freshwater drum, or even catfish. Slowly cooking the fillets with olive oil then mashing and whipping them creates a fluffy, emulsified texture that’s perfect for incorporating into a salad garnished with crunchy celery, onion, and pickles. You could also try this with smoked fish fillets that have been shredded.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. white bass fillets or other firm, white-flesh fish
- Salt
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 ribs celery, finely diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup chopped dill pickles
- ¼ cup chopped pickled peppers
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Black pepper
- 4 rolls, split, or 8 slices of bread
- Softened butter for the bread
- 8 slices cheddar, American, or pepperjack cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Ripe tomatoes, sliced thinly
Also works with
Any strong-flavored or smoked fish
Preparation
- Layer the fillets, salt, and bay leaves in a cold pan and add the olive oil. Place the pan over medium-high heat and cook, stirring often, breaking up the fillets. Once the fish is cooked through, discard the bay leaves, transfer to a bowl and stir well, whipping the olive oil into the fish. Check the seasoning and refrigerate.
- Once the fish has cooled, add the celery, onion, pickles, pickled peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, lemon, and black pepper, mixing very well.
- Preheat the broiler to high. Toast the bread with the softened butter.
- Divide the bass salad between the four bottom buns then top with cheese. Broil the bottom buns until the cheese is well melted.
- Top each sandwich with lettuce and tomato, seasoning the tomato with salt and pepper, followed by the top bun. Serve immediately with potato chips.
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Save this recipe
Bass Melt
Recipe by:Jesse Griffiths
Duration
30 minutes
Serves
4
Chef’s notes
This freshwater version of the tuna melt works well with any fish with an assertive flavor like white bass (my preference), striped bass, black bass, freshwater drum, or even catfish. Slowly cooking the fillets with olive oil then mashing and whipping them creates a fluffy, emulsified texture that’s perfect for incorporating into a salad garnished with crunchy celery, onion, and pickles. You could also try this with smoked fish fillets that have been shredded.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. white bass fillets or other firm, white-flesh fish
- Salt
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 ribs celery, finely diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup chopped dill pickles
- ¼ cup chopped pickled peppers
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Black pepper
- 4 rolls, split, or 8 slices of bread
- Softened butter for the bread
- 8 slices cheddar, American, or pepperjack cheese
- Shredded lettuce
- Ripe tomatoes, sliced thinly
Also works with
Any strong-flavored or smoked fish
Preparation
- Layer the fillets, salt, and bay leaves in a cold pan and add the olive oil. Place the pan over medium-high heat and cook, stirring often, breaking up the fillets. Once the fish is cooked through, discard the bay leaves, transfer to a bowl and stir well, whipping the olive oil into the fish. Check the seasoning and refrigerate.
- Once the fish has cooled, add the celery, onion, pickles, pickled peppers, mayonnaise, garlic powder, lemon, and black pepper, mixing very well.
- Preheat the broiler to high. Toast the bread with the softened butter.
- Divide the bass salad between the four bottom buns then top with cheese. Broil the bottom buns until the cheese is well melted.
- Top each sandwich with lettuce and tomato, seasoning the tomato with salt and pepper, followed by the top bun. Serve immediately with potato chips.