Baked Halibut with Chorizo Butter

I saw this recipe on Climging Grier Mountain back in April, and from the moment I saw it I knew I had to make it.  Flaky fish over creamy polenta, topped with spicy, rich chorizo butter.  Yes please!  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this recipe on my menu, and for some reason or another each and every time I’ve planned to make it I haven’t been ablt to.  Well, all that finally changed about a week ago.  I had everything I needed to make this recipe! Halibut? Check. Arugla? Check. Cheesy, creamy polenta? Check. Chorizo? Check. And butter? Having this on hand is never an issue, so check! 

I set out in the kitchen and fired up my stove top and started preheating my oven.  I started on my polenta and got that well on it’s way.  Once the polenta was doing it’s thing I prepared the fish and popped them in the oven.  Then it was time to start on the chorizo butter.  I think I was actually most excited about this element of the recipe.  I love love love chorizo and the hint of spice it brings to any dish.  And butter.  Well, butter just makes everything better.  I couldn’t wait to combine this sauce and taste the goodness of the rich, buttery sauce that was seasoned with the spicy chorizo!  Oh my!

Can we talk about the chorizo butter for just a second?  This chorizo butter is incredibly simple to put together.  No special tools or techniques needed.  It’s a simple process of melting cubes of butter, slowly, in the same pan the chorizo was cooked in (to get all that great chorizo flavor in the actual butter base), then once all the butter has been melted, the chorizo is added and stired into the butter.  The simple, yet flavorful sauce is done and then ready to adorn that beautiful piece of fish…or whatever else you decide to top off.

So back to the recipe.  Once the assembly of this meal started, I could hardly contain myself.  I was giddy with excitement.  A base of creamy, smooth polenta, topped with peppery, fresh arugula, followed by a beautiful piece of flaky halibut, then it’s all topped off with that buttery, perfectly seasoned chorizo butter.  Folks, can I tell you.  It was love at first bite.  Each and every element worked together and complimented each other beautiful, just making an explosion of flavor and textures in your mouth.  This meal is filling and perfect in every way.  Next time you need an impressive dish to entertain guests with, or a meal to make your hunny feel special then look no further.  This is the meal for you!     

Baked Halibut with Chorizo Butter

Ingredients:

for the fish-
4 (6oz) halibut fillets
1 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper
2 Cups polenta, cooked
2 Cups arugula

for the chorizo butter-
10 oz chorizo
1 1/2 Sticks (12 Tbsp) unsalted butter, cubed

Directions:

For the fish-
Preheat ove to 400.

Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.  Place the halibut fillets on the prepared baking sheet.  Drizzle each fillet with a bit of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Place halibut in the preheated oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

For the chorizo butter-
Place a skillet over medium heat to preheat.  Place the chorizo in the preheated pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, until fully cooked.  With a slotted spoon, remove the chorizo from the pan and set aside.  Return skillet to low heat, add a tablespoon of water and gradually add the cubes of butter, gently whisking to combine.  Once all the butter has been added and is melted, return the chorizo to the pan and stir to combine.  Remove the mixture from the heat. 

To assemble-
Divide polenta evenly among four shallow bowls, about 1/4 cup of polenta in each.  Top the polenta with 1/4 cup of arugula, followed by the halibut fillet.  Ladel desired amount of chorizo butter over each fillet.

Recipe source: Climbing Grier Mountain
                         Chorizo butter originally from Food & Wine Magazine