Recipe update, the original posted April of 2008, that’s when this blog was barely a month old!
Look at what’s on my table…baked sole! Canada boasts of having a lot of fish and despite Toronto being a 4 hour flight from the Pacific and a 90 minute flight from the Atlantic, we get some decent Canadian seafood flown into town and some weekly shipments of Mediterranean fish from Europe.
This recipe is just a template, you can choose whatever flat or white fish you like: haddock, halibut, cod, or grouper are good alternatives. Just keep in mind the thicker fillets make take a bit longer to bake in the oven.
You can use another nut if pistachios are an issue but the colour of them offers the nicest presentation and I love their taste!
Pistachio Crusted Baked Sole
Course: Fish u0026amp; Seafood, Main4
servings30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
4 sole fillets
1/2 cup shelled pistachios
zest of 1/2 lemon
zest of 1/2 lime
zest of 1/2 orange
4 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 cup bread crumbs
Dijon mustard
salt & pepper
olive oil
Directions
- Pre-heated 400F oven
- Roughly chop your pistachios and place in a bowl. Mix in your 3 types of zest, parsley and bread crumbs. While stirring with a spoon, slowly add some olive oil until the mixture sticks together.
- Season your fillets with salt and pepper and brush each top part of the fillet with Dijon mustard.
- Pack the breading on top of each fillet and place on a baking sheet that’s been treated with oil.
- Place in the upper middle rack of your oven bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops have turned golden brown.
- Serve with some rice and boiled/steamed greens tossed in olive oil and lemon juice. Pair with an Assyrtiko white from Santorini.
52 Responses
I love this post Peter. I think that greenhouses are a great way to extend the growing season. You guys would eat nothing for about 6 months out of the year otherwise.
I am so lucky to be here in Florida where we do have an extended albeit backwards from yours growing season. We have virtually no local meat sources here. Trust me I have looked high and low. I do eat locally caught sustainable seafood because that is what I have access to.
In Canada though you do not have the industrial farming to the extent that we have here and you do have markets that you can get fresh, healthy meat from. Of that we are sorely lacking. On Canadian Lamb…is it really less gamey? I will try some when I am there if this is the case!
That Halibut looks incredible. I still love Halibut for fish and chips but it is way too expensive to get here!
For those of you who’d like to know Peter’s secret, I will tell you… :-) If you head to the St. Lawrence Market on a Saturday afternoon around 2:00pm or just after, you will find that the seafood is seriously discounted as the market is closed on Sunday and the Saturday morning rush is over… Bargain prices can be had at ALL the seafood stalls at that time. Good things come to those who wait…
Ha ha looks like Sam have give your secret away peter :-)
Wish seafood was so cheaply available here as in your place.
Wonderful finance adivse you have given us.
About the credit card i am like you, i only use them when we are in holiday.
Here when i go for shopping it is in the shelf and not in my wallet.
It would be a long drive to St. Lawrence Market from BC Peter. If I lived in Vancouver there would be more competition. I can always throw a line into Lake Okanagan and catch a Kokanee.
It looks delicious! The only good fish here is frozen, and for some reason that I really don’t understand, halibut is much more expensive than other fish like salmon, Tilapia, sole, Mahi Mahi, or cod. So I don’t splurge on it too often.
Thanks for the financial advice too. I’m planning to retire from teaching after next school year (woo hoo) and I’m watching my investments pretty carefully right now and hoping for the best. (And yes, I know enough not to panic and take money out while the market is so far down!)
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
You asked me a while back what a good substitute for kingklip is, I think it could be halibut.
That looks like a very hearty meal.
all i can say is that this whole being landlocked thing is not good.
unless there’s a tsunami. then we will live and you will die. except you might die happy because YOU GOT THE GREAT SEAFOOD!
(does anyone die happy?)
Mmm… pistachios…. I haven’t really seen them combined with fish before, but it looks great.
I fret about the state of the personal economy. I feel strongly that it’s wrong for people to take out “home equity loans” so they can buy a big fancy new TV, or even to put in a $50K+ gourmet kitchen. I only buy what I can pay for now; I saved for my children’s college educations from the time they were born; I’ve never signed on to buy what I can’t afford. My eldest son has recently started with a large financial firm as a “municipal derivatives analyst”, and advises all of his siblings insofar as the stock market to only buy conservatively, and look for long term value (they each have about $5000). In other words, he follows and preaches Warren Buffet’s example (and has been a fan of ol’ Warren since he was 14). I’m glad to see a large dose of common sense, and delicious fish to follow!
I found a large bag of pistachios in my pantry the other day, which were left over from making fudge at Christmas and wondered what I could use them in. Thanks for the inspiration, Peter!
Judy, if it weren’t for greenhouses, we’d be eating more canned & jarred goods and snow! As for lamb, New Zealand is grass fed, left to roam the wild, it’s a good product but it’s also gamier because of that.
Sam, remind me to never invite you to a surprise party. As for St.Lawrence Market’s hours…they are closed Sunday AND Monday and reopen Tuesday. If you’d like Sam, drop by there on a Monday and see for yourself.
Happy, you’re in Belgium, there should be a good supply of seafood there.
Val, I’m sure some decent fish gets your way from the shore, no?
Kalyn, halibut is a large fish, caught only in the sea. The less expensive fish is smaller and farm-raised.
Nina, good memory and thanks for the suggestion.
Eat cook fret…I’d have that gluttonous last meal and die happy.
Marjie, you would be my ideal client and family…I need more clients like you…you’ve got your finances in good order.
Sylvie, my pleasure…it’s quite a simple fish dish and delicious.
Nice post, Peter. I have actually been to that market, during my only visit to Toronto, a couple of years ago. I actually have mixed feelings about halibut, but I have never had it pistachio-crusted, so maybe I should give it another chance.
Peter, Thanks for the advice. Everything looks pretty bad here right now, so we are trying to brace ourselves for the worst part of it. It is hard to eat locally when we only have one growing season, but doing a little research of where our food comes from is not difficult and we can help in our own way.
And taht Halibut looks delicious, I am getting hungry again :-p
Peter, just great. I dis a similar recipe on BBC’s Masterchef using a walnut and herb crusted halibut which got me into the next round!
Cheers
David
Great looking halibut dish, Peter. Bet it was seriously tasty with that great-looking crust and the kick from the Dijon mustard. Nice work!
On my first visit to Toronto, I visited the St. Lawrence Market on Saturday morning. Oh, how I wished I were staying someplace where I could cook — so much wonderful food there!
The halibut looks lovely. It’s one of my favourites, and I love pistachios too… sure wish they were local. ;)
Thanks for the advice, Peter. It’s really common sense, isn’t it? But with today’s shaky economy, everyone needs reminded. And everyone needs a piece of your pistachio-crusted halibut. Wow, that looks sensational!
That crusted halibut looks good! I really enjoy halibut. I will have to head down to the St Lawrence market one Saturday afternoon to catch that pot-pouri of seafood. It sounds like got a great deal on that fish!
Nice of you to give good advice. My sister’s been a stockbroker for over 23 yrs and said that only few people think of retirement or paying off their credit cards. It’s sad that they want everything now, live their life with debts and can’t retire at around 55-58 because they did not think of a retirement plan. Also they forget to have a emergency fund aside or to buy insurance. I know a lady that lost everythind she had in a fire and did not have insurance.
For the fish, I don’t get discount fish in Comox. It’s always at a high price. I guess that’s what it is to live on an island. My grocery bill is higher than my mortgage. I pay over $1000 a month just in grocery. And at that price I don’t feed my family every night with steak.
foodstuff prices in hong kong = skyrocketing…it was one of the reasons i stopped (or try to refrain from) eating out…it opened a whole new world to me
most people here got carried away investing in stocks when it was up a few months back and now we could only hang on to the stocks on hand and wait for recovery. i have some too but in manageable amount.
you are so right. always diversify. while stocks plummeted, property prices in hong kong is great at this moment, so…i plan to earn from there *grin*kaching!!
Oh my goodness, Peter, that halibut looks incredible! The sweetness from the pistachios must really combine well with the delicate flavor of the halibut. Delish!
Buying local…I’m lucky enough here in Gran Canaria to be able to find fresh produce practically year round (certain things are imported out of season), but the markets here are phenomenal…meat is another story. Locally grown chicken, rabbit and goat is readily available, but beef and pork are generally imported. It’s a question of space…we simply don’t have the land to farm large grazing animals. Goats tend to do well in the mountainous areas, though, hence the goat farming, and delicios locally produced cheeses. :)
thanks for the good advice – unfortunately, a lot of people in Greece are also in a bad financial situation, and they could benefit form such tips
Excellent advice, Peter. My husband forced me to start investing in our retirement when we were in our 20’s.(shhh! That was almost 20 years ago!) We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re on our way. My card of choice is AMEX. I know I have to pay it off each month, so I think twice before using it!
Love the fish! Everything is better enrobed in nuts. I love halibut, but at $17.00 US per pound, I don’t buy it too often. :(
Simona, I’m surprised…halibut is a very neutral fish…will take on whatever flavour you give it.
Ben, I feel for you, things are tough in Ohio, hope you’re secure with work & such.
David, walnuts would be wonderful too…great minds think alike!
Antonia, the Dijon was very subtle, it acted more as a glue for the crust.
Lydia, St. Lawrence Market is world reknowned, we’re lucky to have it.
Ferdzy, sadly no Ontari-ari-ario pistachios.
Susan, halibut all around…there goes the budget! lol
Helene, halibut is expensive and unfortunately, it’s a treat to find it at a more a affordable price.
Rita, it sounds like you’ve got some sound financial goals.
Nikki, thanks doll. You’re mui-fortunate to have a bountiful island in Gran Canaria.
Maria, sadly us Greeks seem to be #1 in all the negative aspects…debt, smoking, polluting, obesity.
Sticky, you’re hubby was bang on and he’s an anomaly. Usually, it’s the woman who instils sound financial planning in the family (from my experiences).
Good pep talk. Folks living further South and evangelizing about eating local food all year round, not using gas, etc., often forget that you folks up in Canada don’t have a lot of realistic alternatives. It becomes a much more interesting game than “black on white” choices when you have to rely on grocery stores, you actually have to research the producers of the protein you’re buying. It’s a lot tougher than just waltzing down to the farmer’s market. Kudos to all Canadian foodies who work to make ethical food decisions!
This is great Peter. I like the idea of Pistachios used in the crumb for the halibut!
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
That halibut looks delicious and I really like both the crust and how you plated it!
As for the money/food discussion, its one of those things I’ve become more aware of in the process of working on my blog. My ultimate food plan/fantasy is to grow as much of my own produce as I possibly can–fruit trees, herbs, veggies, etc. Whatever an feasibly grow, I want it to come out of my backyard…I just have to learn how to be a competent gardener first. ;-) But I should probably wait and see where I wind up living first…
And meat/fish, I wish I could get it locally. Its maddening really–I live in Florida, but can’t get good fish (wtf). I see cows everywhere when I drive around….but can’t get any (they are usually owned for land tax breaks, not farming).
Great post. I didn’t actually realize you did this for a living but it is good to know. Very solid advice.
Hola Chico! Thanks for the financial free advise!!! Our economy is being affected by the USA one and it’s said that things will get worse! It’s affecting all sectors: not only properties/construction. However, this past weekend, my man and I “had a date” and tried to escape to a good hotel for the weekend with some good Restaurant too, but it was all booked!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!! Crisis, what crisis? Maybe it was only bad luck!
Really shocking and different sauce for a fish dish! Wonderful choice with pistachos! Don’t have halibut here now and it’s an expensive one, but maybe I could try with other fresh fishes.
Peter
A new favourite in my mealtime armoury – I might even admit it isn’t my own recipe occasionally :-)
As a Pom experimenting with different fish down under in New Zealand, I can say that this dish worked really well using the local terahaki, served it with a mushroom risotto and steamed green beans.
Cheers
Buzz
http://bigboysbrunch.wordpress.com/
Not only do I love the fish, but there’s some great advice, too! Thanks, Peter!
This looks delish, going to try it soon – thanks!
I am on my way to buy filet of Sole