15 Minute Halibut with Avocado Salsa

Submitted by:

Don Hamilton

The spicy salsa in this recipe wonderfully complements the flavor of halibut. The avocado adds not only richness but extra nutrition as well.

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

· 4 6oz halibut steaks or filets

· ¼ cup minced scallion

· 1-2 tsp finely minced jalapeno

· 6 medium cloves garlic, pressed

· 1 + ¼ cup TBS fresh lemon juice

· 3 TBS chopped fresh cilantro

· 8 cherry tomatoes, quartered

· 1 medium ripe but firm avocado diced in ¼ inch cubes

· salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients except halibut and 1 TBS lemon juice and set aside.

2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium high heat for about 2-3 minutes.

3. Rub halibut with 1TBS lemon juice and season with a little salt and black pepper. Place in hot pan. Cook for about 3 minutes and turn. Cook for another 3 minutes and remove from pan.

4. Place on plate, and top with salsa. Serves 4

Serving Suggestion: Serve with Mexican Corn on the Cob and Green Salad

Healthy Cooking Tips:

It is best to choose halibut that is fresh and at least 1 inch thick. Because halibut can become dry when cooked, the thicker cuts help to retain moisture. It's important not to overcook halibut. To check for doneness, insert the tip of a knife into the center. It will flake, but still be moist when it is cooked to perfection. In fact, cook it slightly less than desired doneness, as it continues to cook after removing from the heat. Unlike the other salsas, this one is served with a chunky texture. Chop everything fine except the tomatoes and avocado. If the avocado is very ripe it will make the salsa mushy looking. Choose an avocado that is ripe, yet still a slight firmness. You will have a more attractive salsa.

Family History

Two years ago (2006) I started cooking a bit and really started getting into it. Although this recipe is not a “family” recipe, it is important to me because it is the first recipe that actually impressed people. Up to that point, they winced when they saw me coming out of the kitchen. Consequently, they got a heavy dose of it for the summer!! This is an EXCELLENT dish and very healthy as well.