Chilled Poached Halibut with Fresh Apricot Salsa

Mustard seeds give the salsa a nutty richness. Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes. Notes: Find brown mustard seeds at Middle Eastern, South Asian, and gourmet grocery stores. If using supermarket apricots, increase lemon juice to 2 1/2 tbsp. and mix it with 1 1/2 tsp. honey before adding to salsa.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons brown mustard seeds (see Notes)

1 pound apricots, preferably Blenheim

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup diced red onion, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 to 1/2 red jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and cut into rings crosswise as thinly as possible, or 1/4 to 1 tsp. minced seeded habanero chile

About 1 tbsp. coarse kosher salt, divided

1/2 lemon, cut into thin slices

4 halibut fillets (6 oz. each and 3/4 in. thick)

Step 1

Put oil and mustard seeds in a skillet, cover, and heat over medium-high heat. They'll start popping wildly. When the popping sounds die down, remove from heat. Let cool slightly, uncovered.

Step 2

Halve and pit apricots; cut into 1/2-in. dice. Put diced apricots in a large bowl and toss gently with lemon juice, onion, cilantro, chile, and mustard seeds with oil. Stir in 2 tsp. salt and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

Step 3

Wipe skillet clean with paper towels and fill half-full with water. Add 1 tsp. salt and lemon slices. Heat water over medium heat until gently simmering. Add fish and cook, covered, until just opaque in center (cut to check), 5 to 8 minutes.

Step 4

Transfer fish with a spatula to a platter and chill at least 20 minutes. Season with salt to taste and serve cold, with salsa.

Step 5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0

Amount Per Serving
Calories 347Calories from Fat 39

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g24%

Saturated Fat 1.9g10%
Cholesterol 54mg18%
Sodium 586mg25%
Total Carbohydrate 15g5%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Protein 38g76%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Chilled Poached Halibut with Fresh Apricot Salsa