Sear-Roasted Halibut with Roasted Red Pepper Purée

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 oz. roasted red pepper (about 1/2 large jarred roasted pepper)
  • 2 Tbs. sherry vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. honey
  • 1 medium clove garlic, peeled
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 6- to 7-oz. center cut, skin-on halibut fillets
  • 1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh chives or chopped marjoram

Preparation

Step 1

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 375°F.

In a blender, combine the red pepper, vinegar, and honey. Turn the blender on, let it run for a few seconds, and then drop the garlic through the feed hole. With the blender still running, slowly pour in the 1/4 cup oil and process until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down the lid and sides of the blender jar as necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Set the fish skin side down on a plate and season with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 Tbs. oil in a large ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat until shimmering. Put the fish skin side up in the skillet, and cook until well browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the fish, turn off the heat, and transfer the pan to the oven. Roast until the fish is flaky, moist, and cooked through (use the tip of a paring knife to check), 5 to 7 minutes.

Transfer the fish to dinner plates, spoon about 1 Tbs. purée onto or around each piece, sprinkle with the chives or marjoram, and serve immediately with the remaining purée on the side.

Leftovers:
Any leftover purée will keep, refrigerated, for up to 5 days. You can serve it with chicken or pork, or thin the purée with additional olive oil to make a dressing for steamed, sautéed, or roasted asparagus or a salad of romaine hearts, red onion, and hard-boiled egg.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : based on four servings; Calories (kcal): 550; Fat (g): 46; Fat Calories (kcal): 410; Saturated Fat (g): 7; Protein (g): 27; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 30; Carbohydrates (g): 5; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 4.5; Sodium (mg): 610; Cholesterol (mg): 85; Fiber (g): 0