Seared Pollock Fillet With Caramelized Onions

The Washington Post, April 16, 2008

• • Course: Main Course

Summary:

This is rustic food -- simple and tasty. Andreas Viestad cooks the fish in bacon fat because he prefers the flavor, but butter or vegetable oil may be used.

Serve with boiled potatoes or a mixed green salad.

4 servings

Ingredients:

• • 1 1 1/2- to 2-pound, skin-on pollock or cod fillet, cut into 4 equal-size pieces
• • 2 cups Caramelized Onions (see related recipe)
• • 2 to 4 whole cloves
• • Sea salt
• • 2 to 3 tablespoons flour
• • 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or bacon fat
• • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Place the fish in ice water, or in a colander under a constant flow of cold water, for 15 to 20 minutes.

Place the caramelized onions in a medium saucepan and add the cloves. Reheat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally; do not let the onions come to a boil.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Rub the fillet pieces with salt to taste and sprinkle them with flour.

Heat the butter or bacon fat in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high and add the fish, skin side up. Cook for 1 minute, then turn the pieces over and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the fish is flaky; the exact time depends on the thickness of the fish.

Discard the cloves from the onions. Distribute the onions among individual plates and place the fish on top. Season with pepper to taste; serve hot.

Recipe Source:

Adapted from "Kitchen of Light: New Scandinavian Cooking With Andreas Viestad" (Artisan, 2007).

258 calories, 9g fat, 5g saturated fat, 140mg cholesterol, 497mg sodium, 9g carbohydrates, 1g dietary fiber, n/a sugar, 34g protein.