Saturday, September 6, 2008

Grilled Halibut with Fennel, Red Onions and Oregano

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

This dish is fast, healthy and combines a Sicilian favorite combo of
mine: oranges, red onions and oregano. Fennel is a winter favorite,
but in most markets it is available year round and in my family we
used it as a digestive during big meals throughout the year.

4 (6-ounce) halibut filets
Extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons plus some for drizzling
Salt and pepper
Crusty bread, cut into thick slices
1 orange
1 bulb fennel, quartered, core removed, thinly sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, a couple of splashes
Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves, 2 sprigs

Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over high heat.

Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the fish and season with salt and
pepper. Grill 4 minutes on each side until fish is firm but not tough
and cooked through. Grill bread alongside or char under broiler then
dress with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper as well.

Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat.

While fish cooks, peel the orange as you would a melon: cut off ends,
stand it upright and cut off skin and pith in thin strips from top to
bottom. Cut orange across into thin slices.

To preheated skillet add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan,
the fennel and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook 3 to 5
minutes until seared and beginning to soften. Add vinegar to the pan
and give it a shake. Remove from heat and toss in the oranges, the
parsley and oregano. Adjust seasoning and serve salad on dinner plates
topped with fish, and seasoned bread alongside.


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