Heli spetziotiko (eel spetzes-style)

Yield: 4 servings Kar

Ingredients:

2 tb Olive oil 1/2 ts -Greek "Mountain" thyme
2 lb Eel; (moray

Instructions:

conger OR 1 Bay leaf; crumbled - freshwaterer) dressed 1 Lemon; zested - cut into 2-1/2" thick pcs. 1 ts Lemon juice 1/2 lb Onions; roughly chopped 2 Garlic cloves; minced 3 Sun-dried tomatoes (in oil) 1 c Finely chopped parsley - snipped up & soaked in: -- (flat-leaf type) 2 tb Boiling water; -OR- 1 tb Finely chopped fresh mint 1 tb -Tomato paste instead Salt 3/4 lb Tomatoes Freshly ground black pepper -- skinned seeded & chopped 1/2 lb Feta cheese crumbled 1/2 ts Honey In a heavy skillet or wide flameproof casserole heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute the eel pieces until well browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and add another tablespoon oil if necessary. Add the onions and fry gently until translucent. Pound the sun-dried tomatoes if using to a paste. Add to the pan with the chopped tomatoes honey thyme bay leaf lemon zest and garlic and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Return the eel pieces to the sauce and stir in the parsley mint and salt and pepper to taste. Move to a baking dish or earthenware casserole if necessary. Strew with the crumbled feta and shake the dish so the cheese settles a little. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes. Source: Recipes from a Greek Island by Susie Jacobs Typed for you by Karen Mintzias