halibut fillet

Pan-Roasted Halibut with Lentils, Parsley and Breadcrumbs

This rarely happens.

Okay, it's the beginning of halibut season on the west coast.

Okay. That happens every year this time of year. That's not what I meant when I said, "this rarely happens". I had something else in mind entirely, if you'll just stay focused.

Because whenever it's the beginning of halibut season you can bet your pretty butt I buy halibut. But I bet you do that too, so it seems I am digressing– fast.

What I am trying to say is– it's the beginning of halibut season on the west coast (oh wait, did I already say that??)

Okay, may I start over? Thank you. It is the beginning of halibut season on the west coast. Oh, that is a strong jolt of deja  vu I am having right now. Oh no. No, it's not deja vu; it's me digressing again.

My real point is: halibut, when I see it; in season, wild caught, a Seafood Watch Best Choice. Well, I buy! That's why there was a big hunk in my refrigerator.

Which brings me to the thing that rarely happens. See, I had a point to these ramblings all along!

Sippity Sup Continues »

Pan-Roasted Halibut with Herbed Lentils and Breadcrumbs

Pan-Roasted Halibut Lentils and Breadcrumbs
Prep time: 45
Yield:1 ()

Ingredients:

  • 1 c french green lentils, picked over & rinsed
  • 1.5 t minced garlic
  • 0.25 c diced carrots
  • 0.25 c diced celery
  • 0.25 c diced onions
  • 1.5 c chicken stock
  • 2 t flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1 t fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 t fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 3 T unsalted butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 c coarsley chopped fresh breadcrumbs
  • 0.5 c loosely packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1 T lemon zest
  • 0 lemon vinaigrette (see recipe section)
  • 1.5 pounds halibut fillets, cut into 4 portions
  • 0 kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions

To prepare the lentils, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lentils, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat 2 T olive oil in a saucepan set over medium-high heat, add garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the carrots, celery and onions and cook, stirring for another 2 minutes. Add the lentils, chicken stock, and chopped herbs and bring to a boil. Add the butter, stirring until emulsified, and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm. To make the breadcrumb mixture, heat 3 T olive oil over medium high-high heat in a saute pan, then add the breadcrumbs and pan-fry until golden and crunchy. Season with salt and pepper, remove from pan and let cool. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parsley leaves and lemon zest. Toss this with a little lemon vinaigrette right before serving. To pan-roast the halibut, heat a large saute pan over high heat the remaining 2 T olive oil until nearly smoking. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear until golden brown on one side, 4-5 minutes. Flip and finsih cooking 2-3 more minutes. To serve. Ladle the lentils into 4 wide, shallow bowls. Place the fish in the center of each bowl and top it with some of the dressed breadcrumb and parsley mixture.

Notes:

serves 4 Source: Adapted from Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen