Paul is a highly rated chef and has partnered with MuscleTalk. He has over 23 years experience in cooking and holds a Michelin Bib award plus 2 AA Rosettes. Paul is available for any general consultancy chef work and can be contacted through www.chefcd.com
Some people shy away from fish as they find it difficult to cook and don't really know what to buy. They often stick to tuna and salmon, but there is so much variety out there in the fishmongers and supermarkets it's got to be good to have it in your weekly diet. If you are unsure don't be afraid to ask the fishmonger for his recommendations and even how to cook it.
In this recipe I have used halibut which is at its best at this time of year, but if you can't get halibut try turbot, cod or salmon. A quick and simple dish that will take you about 20 minutes from start to finish, try not to overcook the fish as it will dry out and become tough and tasteless.
Happy cooking
Paul Elliott
paul@chefcd.com
Ingredients
1 fresh halibut steak (or cod, turbot or salmon)
90g red peppers, sliced
100g fresh spinach, washed
1 tsp olive oil
½ tsp coriander seeds, crushed
1 lemon juice and zest
1 cup couscous
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp curry powder
Seasoning
Method
- Pre-heat oven to 200°C / Gas 6
- In a bowl mix peppers, spinach, oil, coriander seeds, lemon zest and juice. Season to taste
- Season halibut place on a lightly oiled, non stick baking tray
- Top the halibut with the vegetable mixture and bake in the oven for about 12-15 minutes, until the halibut is opaque and cooked through
- While halibut is cooking, put curry powder into dry couscous, mix and add an equal quantity of boiling water, stir well and cover tightly with cling film. Leave to one side
- To serve mix the juice from the halibut to the couscous mix stir well (if the mix is to dry add a touch more boiling water)
- Put couscous onto a plate top with the cooked halibut and vegetable mix
A note from James Collier, Nutrition Consultant www.healthyaction.co.uk:
Halibut is not a commonly consumed fish, but it can be a great inclusion in a bodybuilder or fitness enthusiast's diet as it's high in omega-3 fats and the trace element mineral selenium. If you're not keen on halibut then salmon is also a great choice. Of course, the fish is an obvious source of protein too.
For veg you've got anti-oxidant packed red peppers as well as spinach which is high in iron. Couscous is a great wholesome complex carbohydrate source, a change from the usual rice or pasta.