Pan Seared Halibut with Five Pepper Sauce

Name: Pan Seared Halibut with Five Pepper Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 red onion (halved and slivered); 1 yellow bell pepper (stemmed, seeded, julienned); 1 red bell pepper (stemmed, seeded, julienned); 1 green bell pepper (stemmed, seeded, julienned); 1 chile manzano (stemmed, seeded, julienned); 1 jalapeño (sliced into rounds); 1 cup peanut oil (plus more for searing the fish); 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil; 1 cup white wine vinegar; 1/4 cup brown sugar or grated piloncillo; 1 cup fish (chicken, or vegetable broth); 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt (plus more to season the fish); 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice; 6 6-oz halibut (rockfish or red snapper fillets (or any mild white fish)); 1 cup fresh basil leaves (thinly sliced, for garnish); Corn tortillas (for serving)

Pescado con Salsa Agridulce Picante

Recipe Yield

6 Servings

Cooking time

35 minutes

Rate this recipe

4.25 from 8 votes

Ingredients

1 red onion halved and slivered
1 yellow bell pepper stemmed, seeded, julienned
1 red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, julienned
1 green bell pepper stemmed, seeded, julienned
1 chile manzano stemmed, seeded, julienned
1 jalapeño sliced into rounds
1 cup peanut oil plus more for searing the fish
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar or grated piloncillo
1 cup fish chicken, or vegetable broth
2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt plus more to season the fish
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
6 6-oz halibut rockfish or red snapper fillets (or any mild white fish)
1 cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced, for garnish
Corn tortillas for serving

To Prepare

To make the five pepper sauce: Place the red onion, bell peppers, chile manzano and jalapeño in a medium heatproof bowl and set aside. Heat the peanut oil and sesame oil in a saucepan set over medium heat for a couple minutes. Once hot, pour in the vinegar, stir, and cook for a minute. Add the sugar, stir, and cook until it completely dilutes. Add the broth and the salt, stir, and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the liquid has reduced and thickened. Remove from the heat. Pour it over the vegetables while hot. Add the lime juice, taste for salt, stir and let sit while you cook the fish.
Heat a couple tablespoons of peanut oil in a nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Season the fish fillets with salt and pepper to taste. Sear the fish for 5 to 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish, or until it can be flaked with a fork.
Transfer the fish to a platter and dress with the five pepper sauce. Serve with warmed corn tortillas.

Comments

28comments inPan Seared Halibut with Five Pepper Sauce

JoAnn

Feb 17

This was absolutely amazing! The pepper sauce was fabulous! I couldn’t stop snacking on it. Used more of the sauce on a tuna sandwich the next day. I can’t wait to try the sauce on chicken, burgers, and even a hot dog! Thank you so much for an amazing recipe!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Feb 27
  
  Thanks to you for sharing with us how much you liked it JoAnn, yay!
  
Anonymous

Jun 30

Saw this dish on your show. Can’t wait to try this. Shopping list made out!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jul 03
  
  Let me know how did you like it 😉
  
Boo

Jan 07

No red onion, used thinly sliced sweet spanish onion and no fish chicken (?) used the low sodium stock in carton. Other than that this was so very favorable with the peppers, will make again.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jan 07
  
  Glad you enjoyed it 😉
  
Bob Manwaring

Jul 12

This was a delicious dish. I couldn’t find chili manzano but used a Fresno instead. Will likely use a habanero next time. One major comment on the order of mixing the sauce – the recipe indicates to heat the oils then add the white wine vinegar. Not good. The vinegar causes significant splattering. The vinegar should go in the sauce pan at the same time as the oils so they heat together. Following the recipe creates an oily mess.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jul 25
  
  Thanks so much for the tip Bob. So glad you enjoyed the Halibut!
  
Janet

Jul 08

Delicious and a great presentation. Our guests loved it.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jul 25
  
  So happy to hear about it Janet, thanks!
  
Diana M Warren

May 23

Great dish, currently on soft food due to having oral surgery. This dish is eating to eat and delicious!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 23
  
  Glad you liked it Diana, hope you get well soon 🙂
  
LindaH

Dec 14

Made this tonight since I had frozen mahi along with the remaining ingredients. My husband said it was the best fish he’s ever had! I spooned off some of the oil from the sauce to sear the fish. A keeper!!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Dec 21
  
  Thanks for sharing Linda! So glad your husband approved 😉
  
Jacqui

Jun 21

I’ve been waiting for months to make this recipe, it was AMAZING. We added some black beans on the side and we definitely will be making this again soon. Delicioso, thank you Patti.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Jun 21
  
  Awesome Jacqui, thanks for giving this recipe a chance 😉
  
Debra Sehon

May 09

I followed the recipe and when I added the vinegar to the oil it blew up. Better be careful.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  May 11
  
  Yep, you gotta be very careful 😉
  
Stephannie

Oct 17

Pa to I absolutely loved this episode! Whale sharks fascinate me. I’m so happy I watched because I bought some red snapper fillets today but was not sure how I was going to prepare them but I can not wait to make them with this pepper sauce. I genuinely enjoy watching your show. Keep up the great work!

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 18
  
  Enjoy your snapper, Stephannie!
  
Jannie Secrettie

Sep 29

I have been invited to a Halloween party at a dear friend’s home at Port Ludlow, WA, a fabulous place. We have been instructed to ware a black hat, fun. My friend has traveled extensively in Mexico forming a great attachment with the culture and the food that brings people together. Her home is filled with the beautiful colorful china, mirrors tiles and art. In her honor I am bringing Pati’s “Pan Seared Halibut with Five Pepper Sauce” corn tacos. I can pack a large slab of Halibut in ice for the ferry boat trip and have veggies cut and ready and the sauce in a jar ready to heat. I plan on baking the Halibut so as to not splash oil all over her new black stove top. I will heat the corn tacos in a nonstick pan while the fish cooks and keep them warm wrapped in a Mexican towel and chop the basil. I will safely pack my beautiful platter labeled on the bottom MADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE Museum of FINE ART BOSTON, MADE IN ITALY , the seen could easily be in Mexico. I will fill the matching fat round pitcher with Sangria, easy to cut fruit and pack with a nice bottle of wine. And as Pati says ” WHO DOES’NT LOVE A TACO”. All that’s left is to make a shopping list and quit worrying about what to take. Thank you Pati !

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Sep 30
  
  Oh sounds like it will be a great party, Jannie! Have a wonderful time.
  
Walter Chacon

Sep 28

Trying out this dish.
Can the peanut oil substituted with another oil ?

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 03
  
  You can also use safflower or canola oil, Walter.
  
Joseph

Sep 10

Hi there ,don’t like bell green peppers gone use a poblano,,, what is manzanita chili ,,and if none what can I use instead ? will also use clam juice or ya think it won’t go good with Halibut ?

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Oct 19
  
  Manzano is another type of chile…and you can leave it out or use more poblanos or other chiles. And give the clam juice a try.
  
Rita Sabini

Aug 27

Pati – I am always amazed that you continue to evolve with the way you cook. I know that Mexico has so many diverse cultures…but you bring them all out so everyone can see the delicious differences. Brava…my dear..brava. I have watched you since the beginning and I will continue to watch you…you are superb.

1. Pati Jinich
  
  Aug 28
  
  Oh thank you so much for the kind words, Rita!

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