I get so excited when a dish is close to perfection.
This seared halibut with fresh pea pesto ticks all the boxes for the perfect meal: It tastes as good as it looks, it’s relatively straightforward to prepare and oh-so nourishing. The pesto has oomph, texture and a whole lot of flavor pizzaz. While it marries well with the seared halibut, it’s great on its own as a compliment to any mezze platter or as a light outdoor snack with cut up veggies.
You can’t go wrong with adding a splash of lemon or lime to your pesto anytime. Not all pesto recipes do, but I find it balances out the flavor with just the right hint of acidity.
Seared Halibut with Green Pea Pesto Recipe
Seared Halibut with Green Pea Pesto
Ingredients
For pea pesto
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Juice of one lime
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup fresh basil loosely packed
- 4-5 leaves fresh sage
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 300 grams //10 ounce bag of frozen sweet green peas
For fish
- 6 halibut fillets
- 2 lemons
- Butter to fry
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the fish:
-
Preheat oven to 200 Celsius.
-
Season your fish with lemon juice, salt and pepper and let stand for 30 minutes while you make the pesto.
-
You can cook your fish any number of ways but my favorite is to sear for a few minutes and then finish in the oven. If you don't have the extra time, pop the fish straight into the oven with butter, lemon, salt and pepper.
-
Heat about 1 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan.
-
Sear on both sides for a few minutes until lightly golden.
-
Transfer to a baking dish and finish cooking in the oven until the fish is just cooked through. Check it every few minutes. The fish should take about 12-15 maximum.
For the pesto:
-
Add the ingredients in order into a high speed blender. Pulse until fully blended. You may need to add a splash of water or more olive oil and lime juice to dilute slightly.
To serve
-
Place a generous amount of the pea pesto on a plate and top with the fish. Serve with a lemon wedge and garnish with peas shoots or any fresh herbs you have on hand.
-
If you have the time, roast up some vegetables and serve alongside.
