Nap

Q:

A recipe for fish suggested that one should "nap" the fish in the sauce.

Does it mean "brush" the fish with the sauce? One of the five definitions in Webster's NewWorld Dictionary gives, as definition #2: "to raise a nap on fabric or leather by brushing...."

Even with that definition, though, the verb "nap" in this recipe is not clear. What should I do with / to the fish?

Tony
jskolnik@nycap.rr.com
Posted 29 September 2002

The term nap occurs in recipes that involve serving a food with a sauce over it. The directions indicate that when you finish making the sauce you nap the food with the sauce, or you nap the sauce over or around the food. This is done just before serving the dish.

Here are a few excerpts from recipes I found (the first one had a picture of fish with the sauce on it).

To serve, place three pieces of tuna on each plate. Arrange the tomato triangles and the figs and pine nuts alongside and nap the fish with the sour sauce.

Nap the meat and potatoes with some sauce and serve.

Place slices on a warm plate. Nap the plate with Rosemary Sauce.

Nap the remaining thickened sauce over cooked duckling and serve.

On hot plates, lay the oysters andveggies. Nap the sauce over the top. Rush to the table.

Bon appetit!

Marilyn Martin