Nelly’s ‘but or “Manaroni” Leave a reply
Ever since we started talking about baked halibut, we’ve been inundated with requests for the recipe, cooking tips, better details and well, you name it! So, ok…. Here goes!
First, a little background to the origination of this recipe: Way back in the ’80’s when I worked for the University of Washington Fisheries Research Institute on field research projects in Chignik on the Alaskan Peninsula, I had my first real large halibut experiences. The thing about large halibut and limited freezer space is that you had better figure out how to pound as much halibut meat as you can in as short a time frame as possible! I know, I know…that’s not a bad problem to have but it made me look at a variety of preparations -baked dishes in particular- differently.
For example: who doesn’t love lasagna? It tastes great but after eating it, the flour in the pasta spikes your insulin and makes you feel like crap especially if you have a gluten sensitivity. The great thing about this recipe is that you can eat a HUGE plate of it and you FEEL GREAT! Halibut, lingcod and rockfish (all of which can be used in this recipe) taste great and have wonderful health benefits for us because they literally are what they eat! Crab, octopus, shrimp and a variety of other species completely encompass the diets of these predators. So, with no further eloquence… Here’s the drill:
NELLY’S ‘BUT baked halibut recipe Aka “Manaroni and cheese”
Pre heat oven to 350
+ Cover bottom of 13”x 9” (or similar casserole) with thin layer of sundried tomatoes in olive oil
+ Cut halibut into 2 ½” x 2 ½” (or similar/thinner) cubes or chunks
+ Season halibut with Johnnies Garlic Bread (Green top) seasoning, Sea Salt and pepper
+ Cover halibut with a thin layer of Real Mayonnaise and lace generously with Sriracha hot sauce
+ Grate Pepper Jack, Sharp cheddar or Mexican mix on top to cover mayo.
+ Top with Capers and Red pepper flakes to taste.+ Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes
The great thing about this recipe is it’s portability. When I’m heading off on a hunt, fishing trip or even to hang at someone’s place for a game or party, I’ll make a couple batches in a disposable aluminum pan ahead of time, place it in a cooler and hit the road!
When you arrive at the destination you’re only 45 minutes plus oven preheat time away from a meal! If there are leftovers, stir it all up together to make an amazing dip that will definitely drop you! Halibut fishing is not the most fun you can have on the water but the meals you derive from all the effort is MORE THAN WORTH IT! Now get out there, box those bottomfish and good luck! See you on the water!