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1
To prepare the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
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2
When its warm, add the onion, fennel, leek, and garlic and-saute over medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes.
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3
Add the fennel seeds, tomatoes, sherry vinegar, and sugar and bring to a simmer.
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4
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the tomatoes have broken down and the flavors have developed, about 45 minutes.
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5
Pass the mixture through a food mill or puree using a hand or regular blender or food processor.
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6
For an ultra-smooth puree, strain through a fine sieve, if desired.
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7
Return the sauce to the pan and season with salt and pepper; cover to keep warm.
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8
Cook the potatoes in a small pot of boiling salted water until tender.
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9
Drain and cover to keep warm.
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10
Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan just large enough to hold the fennel in one layer, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat.
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11
Add the fennel, along with a tablespoon of water, season with salt and pepper, and cook, turning once, until tender, about 12 minutes.
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12
Transfer the fennel to a bowl, add the fingerling potatoes, and season with a little salt and pepper.
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13
Toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and cover to keep warm.
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14
Heat a saute pan just large enough to hold the snapper over medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
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15
Season the fish with salt and white pepper.
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16
Place skin side up in the pan and cook until the edges begin to turn opaque, about 4 minutes.
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17
Turn and continue cooking until just done (a knife inserted into the thickest part of the fish should reveal a pearly opaqueness), about 4 minutes more.
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18
Meanwhile, reheat the tomato sauce over medium heat.
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19
Whisk in the extra virgin olive oil and the orange zest.
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20
Spoon the sauce onto individual serving plates.
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21
Top with the warm fennel and fingerling potatoes and then the fish.
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22
Drizzle with a bit of extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and garnish with the reserved fennel fronds, if desired.