Amazing Appetizers, Red Mullet alla Norma, Chef Michele Deleo, Rossellinis Ristorante, Ravello (Sa)

Here's an appetizer that not only hits you visually  with its beauty  but also earns high marks for the time, dedication, technique and creativity.  I really enjoyed my time at Rossellinis Ristorante in Ravello and this dish by Chef Michele Deleo is one of the many reasons why.  Red Mullet alla Norma - a take on a popular pasta dish from Sicily.

Pasta alla Norma is a first course that features tomatoes, fried eggplant and grated ricotta salata cheese.  Deleo's appetizer does not include pasta, but red mullet fish.  The fish is stuffed  with pine nuts and raisins and then wrapped gingerly in fried eggplant.  The mullet seems to be floating on top of its ragu sauce that has been scented with wild fennel and a cacioricotta cheese fondant.

Fantastic.