Halibut – The Ocean’s Underdog
Fish has undergone a sort of renaissance during the last ten years or so, where the trend has shifted from traditional, somewhat overplayed recipes, to exciting and innovative new methods of preparation and presentation. Halibut is a flat bodied fish with little overpowering flavors, allowing it to take on new and interesting combinations easily. Because of this, experts and novices alike can enjoy the succulence of a well-prepared Halibut dish without having to spend a few terms as a sous chef.
Presentation is, of course, just as important as the taste of the meal itself. Fortunately, Halibut is easy to display in a way that will accent its intricate flavors.
Cooking Methods
Halibut can be prepared in a variety of different ways. You can fry, sear, grill, stew, boil, and even steam Halibut, though the flavor of the fish will vary based on the method that you use to prepare it. Frying the fish will yield a crisper flavor, and the fish will take on a strong amount of the flavor of whatever sauce you fried it in. Searing Halibut will yield similar results.
Grilling/broiling Halibut results in a consistent flavor throughout, and if done right, you will be able to flake the fish with a fork. This is probably the most common method of preparation as it also takes the least amount of time (around 10 minutes or so). Stewing/boiling/steaming Halibut can be done with mixed results. This type of preparation almost always drowns out the flavor, though it throughly cooks the fish. As previously mentioned, the flavor becomes weaker, though that can be counteracted with a rich stew or flavorful sauce.
Halibut Presentation and Meal Arrangements
Because of the open ended nature of Halibut, meal creation and design is quite literally whatever comes to your mind. Depending on the sauce that you choose to accompany the fish, you can compliment it with just about any vegetable or starch you’d like. Whole grain rice, broccoli, green beans, and cooked asparagus accompany Halibut quite well – add a little lemon butter and it quickly becomes a gourmet side dish.
Halibut comes in two forms: as a steak or as a fillet. Both cuts of Halibut can be quite lean and easy to present: placing the Halibut cleanly on top of some rice, or by itself, offers a wealth of opportunity- try playing around with various glazes, garnishes, and decorative vegetable placements. A bit of mint or thyme adds a touch of green to the dish while offering a subtle flavor that may leave your guests guessing.
Like most seafood, Halibut responds well to citrus flavors. Try squirting some lemon juice on your Halibut, or searing it in a lemon and garlic butter sauce. Or, mix it up a bit and try a lime wedge instead.
Either way, Halibut is an excellent base for a myriad of flavor combinations to come out and tantalize your taste buds. Like a blank canvas, Halibut can be transformed into a sensational work of art that will surprise even the most experienced of chefs.
