Halibut with Pea & Fava Puree

Recipe provided by:

Real Good Fish

Real Good Fish is a community-supported fishery (CSF) that reconnects our communities to the ocean and local fisheries. They have pick-up sites from Carmel to Marin and East Bay, where members receive fresh, local seafood each week or every other week.

Learn more at realgoodfish.com

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

Halibut
4 (4-ounce) filets of halibut, skin removed
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chopped mint
Salt and pepper to taste

Fava Purée
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil Pea-Fava Purée:
1 cup fresh peas (removed from the pod)
1 cup fresh fava beans (removed from the pod)
2 tablespoons lemon zest
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Garnish
1/4 cup chopped mint
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, if desired)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Marinate Halibut
Sprinkle the fillets with lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and mint. Let chill for 30 minutes while you prepare the puree. Remove from the refrigerator and season with salt and pepper.

Make Pea & Fava Puree
Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water and set near the pot. Boil the fava beans for 5 minutes or until the white skins are beginning to split.

Using a slotted spoon, add beans to the ice water to cool. Once cool, remove from the ice water and slip off the white skins. Compost the skins.

Add the peas to the pot of boiling water. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until bright green and floating on the top of the water. Using a slotted spoon, remove to the ice water. When cool, drain and place in a bowl.

Combine blanched favas and peas in a food processor. Add the lemon zest and juice, mint, and red pepper flakes and pulse several times to combine. Add the olive oil in a steady stream, pulsing steadily to combine. Process until the mixture is combined, but still slightly chunky. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove to a bowl.

Cook Halibut
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet until nearly smoking.

Place the halibut filets carefully in the pan. Let cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and then flip.

Reduce heat to medium and let cook for an additional 2 to 2 minutes or until opaque, and beginning to flake.

Remove to a plate to let sit for a few minutes before serving.

To Serve
Place a large dollop of pea-fava purée in the center of four plates. Place a piece of seared halibut over the puree and season with a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkling of chopped mint leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with a bowl of coarse sea salt for seasoning.

original recipe via The Yellow Table