Citrus Crusted Pompano with Grapefruit Butter Sauce

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the zest and blanch for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and dry on paper towels. In a bowl, combine the zests, bread crumbs , butter, shallots, salt, pepper, and sugar, and mix well.

Season the flesh side of the pompano fillets with the Essence. Place the fillets on a non-stick baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. Divide the crumb mixture evenly among the fillets and pack lightly to make a crust. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and transfer to 4 large plates. Top with the sauce and serve immediately.

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of the grapefruit juice, the sugar and zest, and cook over medium heat until reduced to a thick syrup.

In a clean saucepan , combine the remaining 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice, the vinegar, and shallots. Simmer until reduced to 3 tablespoons. Add the heavy cream and cook for 30 seconds. Gradually whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, adding each piece before the previous one has been completely incorporated. Continue until all the butter is incorporated and the sauce coats the back of a spoon, removing the pan from the heat periodically to prevent the sauce from getting too hot and breaking.

Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a clean pan. Add the grapefruit gastrique , salt, pepper, and grapefruit segments, and stir gently to combine.

Yield: 1 cup