North African Spiced Halibut Food

HALIBUT IN FOIL PACKETS WITH NORTH AFRICAN FLAVORS

Steps:

• Build a campfire and let it burn down until the embers glow; you don't want flames to cook the fish. Otherwise, heat an oven to 400 degrees.
• Quarter the preserved lemons. Slice away and discard the flesh and pith. Cut the remaining zest into strips and combine with the olives, sliced garlic, and cumin and coriander seeds.
• Place each halibut steak in the center of a large double layer of aluminum foil. Fold up the edges slightly, then lightly season the fish with salt and pepper. Top with 1/4 of the olive mixture and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bring the edges of the foil together and pinch them firmly to create an airtight seal. The packets can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated.
• Place the packets in the medium-hot embers of the fire, or if the fire is too fierce, on a rack above it. Leave to cook for 10 minutes or so, depending on the heat of the fire. The fish should feel just firm if prodded through the foil with a wooden spoon handle. Otherwise, cook in the oven for 15 minutes. Unwrap the packets carefully and scatter with chopped coriander, if you like.

NORTH AFRICAN-SPICED HALIBUT

Steps:

• 1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2.Assemble the halibut marinade: in a bowl large enough to accommodate the halibut, mix together the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and spices. Taste, adding more salt if desired. Add the halibut, spooning the marinade over the top. Marinate at room temperature for ~30 minutes (the marinade has citrus, so you don't want to over-marinate for fear of mushy fish). 3.When the fish has marinated, transfer it into a baking dish. Scrape out any remaining spice paste from the marinade dish, and spread thickly on top of the fillets. Bake until the fish is done and flakes easily, 25-30 minutes. 4. While the halibut is baking, prepare the vegetable couscous. Heat a large pot over a high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, then add the fennel and cauliflower. Sprinkle with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to caramelize and develop light brown spots. Add a few tablespoons water and cover to steam, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender (2-5 minutes). Remove from pot, and place in a large serving bowl. 5. In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally, until the couscous toasts and darkens slightly (just a couple minutes). Add 2 1/2 cups water, crumble in the saffron, and add the salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and lower the heat just enough to maintain a simmer. Cook until the water is absorbed and the couscous is tender, ~10 minutes. 6. While the couscous is cooking, assemble the remaining ingredients. Add the olives, parsley, and cilantro to the serving dish with the cooked cauliflower and fennel. When the couscous is done, tip it into the bowl with the herbs and vegetables, and toss well. Scoop the couscous onto plates, and top with the marinated halibut. Serve with lemon wedges.

CHARRED ALASKA HALIBUT TACOS WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Combine all pesto ingredients in a blender or food processor; blend. Drizzle in more olive oil or water, if needed, until you get a salsa-like consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside. Heat grill to medium-high heat (400°F). Brush halibut and grill surface with oil; grill 5 to 7 inches from heat about 8 minutes, turning once during cooking. Cook just until fish is opaque throughout. Season with salt and pepper. To assemble tacos: Char tortillas on grill or grill pan. Top each taco with a big pinch of shaved red cabbage. Break halibut into chunks and distribute evenly between tortillas. Top with a generous spoonful of pesto, a sprinkle of extra cotija cheese, and a lime wedge.

HALIBUT IN SPICED COURT BOUILLON

Steps:

• In a 4- to 6-quart heavy saucepan bring wine and water to a boil with onion, carrot, celery, spices and salt and simmer 20 minutes. Add oil and halibut and poach fish at a bare simmer, covered, until just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer fish with a slotted spoon to 2 plates. Spoon court bouillon over fish. Sprinkle fish with fresh coriander and garnish with lemon wedges.

HALIBUT NIçOISE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring to a boil. In the sink, prepare a bowl full of cold water and ice. Add green beans to the pot and cook for 45 seconds to 1 minute, then scoop out with a slotted spoon and transfer to ice water.
• Add potatoes to the pot of hot water and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle. Leave the smaller potatoes whole, and halve or quarter any larger ones so they're bite-size.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix olives, anchovy and garlic, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix shallots and rice wine vinegar, and let stand for 20 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and a few turns of ground black pepper. Drain and add green beans, along with potatoes and tomato wedges, and toss gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• Fill a 12-inch skillet with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Crack each egg into a small bowl and fish out any pieces of shell. Slide eggs into the water and poach until white is set and yolk is still soft, about 3 minutes. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon to a bowl of warm water until ready to plate.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat a large ovenproof skillet, ideally cast iron, over high heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Pat the halibut dry with a paper towel and season all over with salt and pepper. Add fillets to hot pan, skin-side down, leaving at least 2 inches between each. (Cook fish in 2 pans or in 2 batches if needed.)
• Let fish cook until it releases easily from the pan, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip fillets, add butter to pan and transfer to the oven. After 2 minutes, baste fish with melted butter, then return to oven until it's just cooked through, slightly firm and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Divide lettuce among four plates, and top with dressed beans, potatoes and tomato. Add fish and top each fillet with a poached egg. Drizzle over any extra pan juice from the fish, along with a spoonful of the olive-anchovy mixture. Squeeze lemon juice over each plate and eat immediately.