Flaky sweet Halibut is a perfect platform for this toasted cilantro and lime bread crumb topping. It’s an elegant, easy and incredibly tasty dinner.
Beautiful wild caught Halibut is expensively showcased in our markets right now. I grabbed 3/4 pound and sauteed it into this delicious dinner for two. Served alongside a Rick Bayless inspired Avocado, and Champagne Mango salad with pine nut dressing topped with crumbled queso fresco, we enjoyed a very special southwestern meal.
This would work well with Mahi-Mahi or even Tilapia. Any type of finely ground bread crumbs would do, but I needed to use up some Italian bread crumbs and combining the two flavor combinations made for a wonderful crunchy flavor on that fish. I won’t change it up in the future unless I just don’t have Italian in the pantry.
- ¾ pound Halibut
- 4 tablespoons lime juice, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup dry Italian bread crumb
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons cilantro crushed, divided
- 1 teaspoon lime juice zest
- fresh ground pepper
- Rub the fish with half the lime juice and salt. Place skin side down in a heavy skillet and saute in olive oil until almost done. Turn during cooking.
- In another skillet add olive oil and heat. Add the breadcrumbs, garlic, salt and 2 T. cilantro. Toast over low heat, stirring constantly until crumbs are golden brown.
- Spread over the fish and cook until fish flakes easily.
- Blend the remaining lime juice and oil together. Drizzle over fish.
- Combine remaining cilantro and lime zest and sprinkle over fish.
- Serve hot with warmed tortillas and lime wedges.
Cilantro Halibut…It’s What’s for Dinner.
On this day..
Yum, I love halibut – fresh Alaskan is the best! It can be so expensive here. The whole meal sounds amazing!
This is marked “wild caught” at Whole Foods and yes, it’s EXpensive. $28/pound.
We love fish at our house, but one of us hates cilantro
I love the sound of this, Lea Ann!
Oh Karen, please don’t tell me that you’re the cilantro hater?!?!?
You could substitute parsley. Would probably go better with the Italian Bread crumbs anyway.
The fish sounds very good but the salad looks magnificent – are you planning a post detailing it.
I will. I would agree with your opinion. It’s magnificent. And the Champagne Mangoes are wonderful with this.
Oh my gosh does that meaty piece of halibut look great. The topping sounds like it’s got just enough zing without overpowering that lovely fish.
Exactly Sue. The topping added a nice crunch and mild flavor. As always, thanks for stopping by.
Darned right halibut is expensive and haddock is hard to find. It love this topping and the salad. What a great summer supper.
It was really good Karen. $28/pound expensive good.
The champagne mango salad looks delicious, Lea Ann. I’m not a cilantro fan and usually substitute parsley. Think it will work just fine in this recipe.
Parsley actually makes more sense with the Italian bread crumbs. Thanks Barbara
That halibut looks fantastic! Love the crust – although I’d have to switch it out with parsley or something if I made it. Chris so dislikes cilantro – then again, I could make it just for me!!!
Parsley would be great on this. I’m just such a cilantro FREAK-o, I find myself using it a lot.
What a great meal, Lea Ann. Even here on the Pacific NW coast halibut is very expensive and I’m very careful how I prepare it – I think simple is always best. Your crumb topping is making my mouth water and I love the green salad you served with the fish. Any time you mention Rick Bayless you get my attention. Wonderful post.
Thanks Cathy. I’m always nervous cooking am expensive and thick cut of fish like that. I don’t know how, but I got it cooked perfectly. ::: whew! I’ll post the salad recipe soon.
Nice! Simple, healthy and delicious! After seeing the picture I have to stop working and eat immediately!
Thanks Mick. Always a tremendous compliment coming from a professional.
If this isn’t right up your alley, I’d be surprised.
http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2012/06/spaghetti-western-cupcakes.html
I headed right over there and you’re right, it’s right up my alley. Also love her blog, I’m a new subscriber.
I love halibut but wish it weren’t so expensive! I could eat it once a week. Delicious preparation with the cilantro and citrus flavors.
Thanks Susan. I agree, I’d eat it twice a week if I were rich.
Stunning!! a flavor packed plate, I love the topping !! bookmarking for the weekend!
vianney
Thanks Vianney! Always good to hear from you. Let me know how you like it.
I’m in love the lime bread crumbs. We always used limes on fish when we lived in the Bahamas. Limes grew everywhere in the islands and lemons were expensive to buy and often not very fresh. Will definitely try this. You know I love mangos too.
Sam
I’m a lime fanatic. Would choose it many times over lemons. Let me know how you like it Sam.
Wow what a delicious meal! I’m definitely making this for my parents the next time I go home to visit!
Let me know how you like it Joanne.
Look at that halibut, I could sink my teeth right into the screen! Girl, I love me some cilantro! I so have to have halibut with cilantro soon.
Let me know how you like it Rhonda.
Halibut is one of the fishes that I can enjoy-Unfortunately, for me enjoying fish has been a challenge. I know that halibut (especially wild) can be pricey-Its worth it if it is enjoyed,
As always, thanks for sharing with us.
Velva
I hear ya sistah! I paid $28/pound. It’s only for a special meal around here.
What a lovely meal. The halibut looks wonderful and the ingredients you’ve used to make it guarantee that it will be delicious. The lime crumbs are a great addition.I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Thanks so much Mary, quite a compliment coming from you. Thanks for stopping by and the comment.
mmm . . . love the flavor combo here. Cilantro and lime combined with crunchy crumbs sound like a perfect topping for fish. Gorgeously plated!
It was goooo-OOD.
That halibut looks flawlessly cooked, Lea Ann. When I see fish like that, I WANT to like fish. I just can’t.
Well, if you can suck the head of a crawdaddy………….. just sayin.