Best Pacific Halibut In A Sicilian Sauce Recipes

PEPITA CRUSTED PACIFIC HALIBUT WITH CILANTRO SERRANO CREAM

Steps:

• Season all sides of the halibut with the 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. In a shallow dish, combine the flour and the remaining salt and pepper. In a second shallow dish add the eggs. Add the pepitas to a third shallow dish. Roll a halibut fillet in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip just 1 side of the fillet in the beaten eggs, then into the pepitas, pressing gently for even coverage. Set on a plate, seed side up, and repeat with remaining halibut. Cover loosely and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
• While the fish is resting, prepare the cilantro cream.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. When the oil is hot add the fish, pepita side down, and cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Flip over, then gently transfer them to a baking sheet fitted with a rack. Bake in the oven until the internal temperature of 145 degrees F registers on an instant-read thermometer, about 6 to 7 minutes. Arrange on serving plates, topped with the cilantro cream and serve.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and serrano pepper and saute for 1 minute. Add the half-and-half and cilantro and bring to a low simmer. Stir frequently until reduced by half, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lime juice and salt and blend with a stick blender until smooth, Keep warm, or reheat gently before serving.

PACIFIC HALIBUT WITH CARAMELIZED FENNEL, BLACK OLIVES, ORANGE ZEST, AND DILL

Steps:

• In a saute pan add the sliced fennel and the sambuca. Cook's Note: Pour the liqueur into the pan when the fire is off, as it is very flammable. Put the pan over low heat, and let the sambuca ignite. Allow the alcohol to evaporate and cook at medium heat until the liqueur begins to caramelize. At this point it will start to bubble. Add the lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt, to taste, the orange zest, the olives, and dill. Cook for a couple of minutes, and then stir in a teaspoon of butter to give the sauce a little creaminess. Set aside.
• Score the fish fillets, cut them in half and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Coat a saute pan, over medium heat, with extra-virgin olive oil and add the fillets, skin side down. Allow to cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat.
• To serve: Put some of the fennel sauce in the center of each serving dish and top with 2 pieces of the fish.

BAKED HALIBUT WITH TOMATO CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, three to five minutes, and add the garlic and the capers. Cook, stirring, for three to five minutes, until the onion has softened thoroughly and the mixture is fragrant. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar. Stir in the thyme, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot or cold.
• Make the sauce as directed and keep warm.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Oil a baking dish large enough for the fish to lie flat. Season the fish with salt and pepper, and arrange in the baking dish. Drizzle the olive oil over the fillets, and place a round of lemon on each one. Cover the dish tightly with foil, and place in the oven. Bake 15 minutes. Check the fish; if you can cut into it with a fork, it is done. If it doesn't yield, (halibut fillets tend to be thick can take time to cook), cover and return to the oven for five minutes. Remove from the oven, and check again. Remove the lemon slices from the fish.
• Place a spoonful of sauce on each plate, and place a piece of fish partially on top. Spoon some of the liquid from the baking dish over the fish. If you wish, top the fish with another spoonful of sauce, garnish with basil leaves and serve.