October 18 Meal: Getting to Know Halibut

I've never had so much fish in one month.  Fish is usually good to me, but nothing very impressive.  This recipe, part of the "America's Foodiest Town" article, was a great exception.  The Bass with Herbed Rice and Coconut-Vegetable Chowder was easy to make and was a great surprise.  It's certainly not something to make often, though, because the fish was quite expensive.

The chowder is flavored with a great combination of onion, lime, basil, ginger, jalapeno, garlic, coconut milk, vegetable broth, carrot juice, brown sugar, and fish sauce.  The recipe calls for kaffir lime leave, but I didn't have the opportunity to go to the Asian market (where you can find them frozen), so I just used the recommended 1 tbsp. lime juice and 1/2 tsp. grated lime peel for each leaf it asked for.  Into the broth mixture goes sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, sugar snap peas, red bell pepper, and carrot. 

The fish is fried, but it is unexpectedly healthy-tasting.  It is dipped in flour, a combination of water and egg, then Panko breadcrumbs.  The fish is fried in vegetable oil for just a few minutes per side.  The outcome is flaky, smooth, and light.  Rice, the chowder, and the fish make for a very fresh meal.  I love dishes that come complete with the veggies, meat, and grain all in one.  For the complexity of the dish it was pretty easy to make.

Yumminess: 9 out of 10

Cost: Approx. $28 for 2 servings

Time: Bon Appetit said 1:45 minutes for prep and 2:45 total. I spent about 30 minutes for prep and 50 minutes total.

Was it worth it?: Yes, but not often because of the cost.  It would definitely be a great splurge if you are in the mood for fish.