Halibut in Tomato Sauce

If your New Year’s resolution is to eat more fish then you are in luck.  Halibut in Bombay Tomato Sauce is my all time favorite.   I have made this recipe so many times (I kid you not) and I am still not sick of it!  I grill the fish on my gas grill in summer and pan fry it in winter.  It’s all good whichever way you cook it! 

Halibut in Tomato Sauce

Adapted from Weber’s Way to Grill

Sauce:

3 tablespoons oil

6 ounce onion, halved and thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon finely grated ginger

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (2 teaspoons cayenne pepper if you can stand the heat!)

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes in juice

¾ cup coconut milk

Fish:

4 tablespoons oil

1 teaspoon peeled, finely grated fresh ginger

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon turmeric

4 halibut fillets, each 6 to 8 ounces and about 1 inch thick

In a large skillet heat three tablespoons of oil on medium high heat.  Add the onions and sauté until it is golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, ginger, coriander, paprika, turmeric, salt, and cayenne. Mix well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often.    Add the tomatoes and coconut milk. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes

In a small bowl mix two tablespoons of oil, turmeric and ginger. Brush the halibut fillets with the turmeric ginger mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. 

Pan frying:

In a large non-stick skillet heat two tablespoons oil over medium high heat.  Add the halibut fillets and cook the fillets on one side for about 4 minutes.   Nestle the halibut cooked side up in the tomato sauce and cook for about 5 minutes or until the fillets flake easily and is cooked.

Grilling:

Grill the fillets over direct high heat, with the lid closed, until they release easily from the cooking grate, 4 to 5 minutes, without turning. Using a wide spatula, transfer each fillet to the pan with the sauce so that the grilled side is facing up.  Nestle the halibut cooked side up in the tomato sauce and cook for about 3 -5 minutes or until the fish is cooked.