spiced rubbed halibut (with two simple sauces)
April 29, 2013 § 24 Comments
A number of my dinners are created from a single craving. The other day I had a craving so, I went to the market specifically to buy salmon. The only salmon available was “fresh farm raised” or “previously frozen wild caught”. Because I prefer to purchase fresh wild caught fish I scratched the salmon idea and decided on the halibut. Obviously I really take heed to my cravings. Sometimes I think when I crave a specific food it is because my body needs it. I felt like we needed fish. Feeling very enthusiastic and eager I brought the fish home and started working on a dry rub. To accompany our fish I prepared smashed potatoes with shallots and a hearty mixed green salad. Heavenly.
For some reason when I get to the fish counter I always forget how much fish I need to bring home. Fishmongers have recommended anywhere between 1/2 – 1 pound per person. I imagine it depends on the appetite of your guests. For our family 1/2 pound each is a perfect portion.
For the sauces I used what I could find in the refrigerator. I made a chermoula style pesto using cilantro, garlic, cumin, lemon, olive oil and salt in the food processor. The other sauce I prepared was greek yogurt, garlic, dill, lemon, olive oil and salt. These two sauces were set on the table in little serving bowls to add to our plates as desired.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pound fresh wild caught halibut
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the dry rub
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Chermoula sauce
- large handful cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- large pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Yogurt sauce
- 1 cup whole milk greek yogurt
- handful of fresh dill, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Method
Rinse your halibut and pat dry with paper towels. Combine all dry rub ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Using your hands rub both sides of your fish with rub and set aside to “marinade a little”.
Prepare your sauces. For the chermoula, in a food processor chop the garlic first. Then add everything else except the oil. Blend. With the motor still running gradually add the olive oil until you have a loose, pesto-like paste. For the yogurt sauce, in medium size bowl combine all ingredients until well mixed. Place in small serving bowls on your dinner table.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat until it is good and hot, and then add the tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the butter for extra flavor. Since the pan is already hot, the oil needs only a second or two to heat up. (I have read this is the secret to good searing technique…heat up the pan first.)
Gently lay the fish skin side up in the hot pan. Lower the heat to medium and sear for 3-5 minutes. Flip the fish over. Since most of the cooking was done on the first side, the fish may only need a minute or two on the other side depending on its thickness.
Divide your fish and place onto individual serving plates. We topped ours with a little roasted spring onions.
Serves 3
buon appetite.
COTTAGE GROVE HOUSE 
Love the halibut with both sauces, it’s one of my favorite fish have to try your chermoula.
Thank you Suzanne! I know….that sauce was a show stopper! Everyone around the table loved it! :)
Your pictures are so dreamy! This looks delicious!
Thank you very much!
Yum, looks delicious! I love halibut.
I love it too! Halibut season just started here in the Pacific Northwest! Yes!
great preparation my friend!
the halibut itself had a punch of savoury flavour, simple seasoning just makes it perfect!
thank you so much! And for following my blog. You have an amazing blog.
I can’t wait to make this, I have some halibut in the freezer waiting to be cooked! Great recipe and directions! Looks delicious!!!
Thank you! Let me know if you make it. I would love to hear your feedback.
Thank you! Let me know if you do make it, I’d love to hear your feedback. :)
i love halibut, but i never know what to season it with. this sounds great!
I am finally getting a little more adventurous when it comes to seasoning fish! This one was really good!
I love the chermoula and the yoghurt sauce (and the halibut). Always on the look out for these kinds of creamy dressings. Thank you for the inspiration :)
You are welcome. I love toppings, dressings, sauces…etc! Both of these were fabulous.
I love halibut too! I don’t cook enough fish… Your pictures are absolutely amazing as always!!
Nice recipes! I am trying to get into eating more cooked fish (I generally only enjoy raw fish like sushi) because it’s so healthy, and I’m starting off by trying to cook more halibut at home. The dry rub and sauce both sound delicious, and like they’d give the white fish the extra kick of flavor that I sometimes feel it’s missing… I hope to try these soon! :)
Thank you for your comment Allison! I feel the exact same way. We eat so much sushi around here! I have never been one to cook too much fish, except salmon. However, I’m feeling a little more inspired these days. I even made some very nice cod tacos a few weeks ago. I’ll post it soon! :)
The fish was SO tasty. Bites with only the rub were savory pleasure and both sauces made me wish I had more fish on my plate to smear them upon….
I am so glad you enjoyed it Jason! I know what you mean by the rub being enough, and then the sauce gives it a whole different flavor. Especially the chermoula! I love sauce! :) Thank you for commenting!
We had this for dinner last night – DELICIOUS! I could eat the chermoula with every meal!
Can you imagine eating the chermoula with every meal? I would overindulge every single time! I’m so glad you two enjoyed the “spiced rubbed cod”! :)
I love Halibut a lot & this recipe looks fabulous even, my friend! Love dry rubs too! MMMMMMMMM! 😀
Me too! Halibut is my favorite fish. The white sauce is fabulous with this. Think I need to revisit this one soon! Thank you for all your kind comments and feedback Sophie!