Pacific Halibut In A Sicilian Sauce Food

SEARED HALIBUT WITH SAUTEED SWISS CHARD AND SALSA CRUDA

Steps:

• Coat a saute pan with olive oil. Toss in the garlic clove, crushed red pepper, bacon, and a couple drops of olive oil. Bring the pan to a medium heat. When the garlic is golden and very aromatic, remove it and discard. When the bacon has become crispy, toss in the Swiss chard stems, half of the chicken stock, and season with salt. When the chicken stock has reduced, toss in the Swiss chard leaves and season with salt. Cook the leaves until they are just wilted, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Coat another saute pan with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Pat the halibut fillet dry with a paper towel and season with salt.
• When the oil in the pan is very hot but not yet smoking, place the fish flesh side down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. As the fish cooks it will turn from translucent to opaque. Turn the fish over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. When the fish is done it should be golden and firm but still moist.
• Place the Swiss chard in the center of the serving plate. Lay the fish directly on top. Top the fish with the Salsa Cruda.
• Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Season generously with salt. Taste to make sure it is delicious. Adjust seasonings if needed.

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.

CHICKEN SICILIAN

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into pieces. Place a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan and heat. Add the chicken and brown on both sides. Add the onion and the cherry peppers. Discard any excess oil. Add the mushrooms, olives, and capers. Add a dash of paprika and 3 to 4 ounces lightly salted butter. Cook on a high flame until the butter is completely melted, mixing to keep the butter from separating.

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.

BAKED PACIFIC HALIBUT WITH LEMON CAPER BUTTER

Steps:

• Adjust rack to center of oven and preheat to 400°F
• Combine butter, capers, onion and lemon juice in food processor and pulse to blend. Set aside.
• Place each halibut fillet on dry surface and sprinkle with salt.
• Smear tops and sides of fillets with mustard and coat with bread crumbs and parsley.
• Coat bottom of baking pan with half of the lemon-caper butter. Place fillets skin side down in pan and dot each fillet with remaining lemon-caper butter.
• Bake until crusty and golden on the outside and moist and flaky in the middle, 15-20 minutes.
• Carefully transfer baked fish to warm platter. Squeeze the lemons into the butter and drippins left of baking sheet and transfer to small bowl. Whisk together thoroughly and pour over fish. Serve immediately.