Skip to main content

Pistachio-Crusted Halibut with Spicy Yogurt

4.6

(81)

After he went on the Blue Voyage, Boston chef Chris Schlesinger came up with the idea for this recipe, which brings together many of the characteristic flavors of Turkey's Mediterranean coast. Halibut works best, but you can use any mild, firm-fleshed white fish.

Cooks' note:

If you can't find Turkish or Greek yogurt, use regular plain whole-milk yogurt drained in a sieve or colander lined with a double thickness of paper towels, chilled, 1 hour.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 min

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

For Halibut:

4 (1 1/4-inch-thick) pieces skinless halibut fillet (about 6 ounces each)
1 cup whole milk
1/3 cup shelled pistachios (preferably Turkish), finely chopped
3 tablespoons cornmeal
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

For Spicy yogurt:

1 cup thick Turkish or Greek yogurt (8 ounces)
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely diced (3/4 cup)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried maras pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put fish in a shallow baking dish, pour milk over it, and chill, covered, turning over once, 30 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, stir together pistachios and cornmeal in a shallow bowl.

    Step 3

    Remove fish from milk, letting excess drip off. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle all over with salt and pepper, then dredge lightly in cornmeal-pistachio mixture. Transfer to a clean plate as coated.

    Step 4

    Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté fish, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total.

    Step 5

    While fish cooks, stir together all ingredients for spicy yogurt.

    Step 6

    Serve fish with spicy yogurt on the side.

Read More
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like fattoush salad and strawberry shortcake roll.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
We’ve got baked cheddar and leek pasta, maple-mustard sheet-pan salmon, and a strawberry shortcake roll.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
An Australian icon—with coconut, chocolate, and raspberry—streamlined in a standard muffin pan.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.