I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to attend the International Food Bloggers Conference in Juneau, Alaska this year. It's important to connect with food bloggers and other food professionals from all over to tell them about Cooking as a First Language.
At the conference, I gave a Lightning Talk, which is a 5 minute presentation with a 20-slide powerpoint that advanced every 15 seconds. I had to talk fast to keep up with the slides! But in those 5 minutes, I shared the meaning of Cooking as a First Language and spoke about what we do in Tupelo, MS through our monthly cooking classes.
I took my family with me and while there, my husband, kids and father-in-law went halibut fishing. They caught some beauties! We had them packed, frozen and checked them with our luggage to bring home.
I want to share a recipe that was inspired by our time in Alaska and incorporates the fish my family caught. I've seen frozen halibut at Sam's Club and my local grocery store. Seafood stores may carry it from time to time as well. So it is available if you would like to try this recipe soon.
Alaskan Halibut
with Almond Parmesan Crust
Ingredients:
2 lbs fresh or frozen halibut (4 filets, thawed if frozen)
1/3 cup almonds
1/3 cup shredded parmesan
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
1-2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp butter (melted)
1 egg
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 Tbsp plain yogurt
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and wash and dry halibut filets.
2. In a food processor, blend almonds, parmesan, bread crumbs, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Add the melted butter and pulse until incorporated.
3. Whisk together the egg, lemon juice and yogurt and place in a plate with sides or a large shallow bowl (for dredging fish).
4. Line a baking sheet (with sides) with aluminum foil and spray with olive oil spray.
5. Dip the fish filets in the egg mixture and dredge until covered on all sides and place on the baking sheet in one layer.
6. Just using your hands, spread the almond parmesan mixture evenly across the top of each fish.
7. Place in the oven and bake on 400 degrees for 15-25 minutes.
(The cook time varies depending on how large the fish filets are. Mine were just caught and huge so I had to cook for 25 minutes. Frozen filets sold at grocery stores may be smaller and won't take as long. Just keep an eye on it and check at the 15 minute mark...you're looking for fish that falls apart to know it's done.)
I love the connection between food and travel. Just the flavor of a dish can connect you to another culture. Alaska is definitely a different culture from Mississippi!
For more food, culture and community inspiration, follow us on instagram at @cookingasafirstlanguage and Facebook at Cooking as a First Language!