This quick and Easy Arctic Char, takes only 20 minutes. It’s not only easy for a quick middle of the week meal, but also perfect for company!
About Easy Arctic Char with Pesto
I wrote about Iceland several years ago as I was doing research for a Food and and Travel article and, I have to say, I fell in love with it. This country is pristine from its mountain streams and waterfalls to it’s ocean. As much as I learned about Iceland, I really knew nothing about Arctic Char until I visited Central Market in Southlake, Texas.
For those foodies who don’t know about this incredible market, you only need it visit it once to fall in love with it. The fresh produce is unending and stocked daily. But my absolututely favorite section of this store was the meat and fish department. Especially the fish. When you walk by the pristine clean half glass windows with the gorgeous fish presented beautifully on a bed of crushed ice, there is absolutle no smell of fish. None at all!
Then I spotted the Arctic Char. It was beautiful with it’s silvery, irridescent skin and deep orange flesh and the price was far more reasonable than my normal favorite which was the New Zealand Ora King Salmon, so I asked the fish monger about it. He told me It was farm raised in Iceland.
Normally, not being a fan of farmed fish, I almost passed it on it until he told me that this fish was different. He said, “I understand, but this farmed fish is sustainably raised and is recommended by Seafood Watch, a watchdog on healthy seafood. They designated Arctic Char as a “Best Choice” Food, and it had also made the list of the worlds Best Clean Sustainable Seafood.”
I asked him what it tasted like and he said that Arctic Char is milder and more buttery than salmon and he described the taste as a cross between salmon and trout. That was everything I I needed to hear. I was sold and ordered 2 pounds.He grabbed a bag, added ice and carefully put the beautiful char on top of the ice.
So if you’ve never had Arctic Char, you really owe it to yourself to give it a try.
It just doesn’t compare to any other fish I’ve ever had.
And because it has such a rich taste, you don’t need a lot. After one taste you may want a lot more, but really small portion with this fish’s richness is perfectly satisfying.
When we left Texas, I had a hard time finding it again. Happily, I recently discovered that Wholefoods is carrying it now, and I’m absolutely delighted. Arctic Char is back on our menu again.
I really love this wonderful fish and have never been disappointed. It Always comes out perfectly. I’ve made it numerous times and will include links to various recipes, but this time, I thought I’d really make life easy and simply bake it.
All these recipes are delicious, but this one was really the easiest because I had earlier made Rosie’s Pesto and so I spread a little (actually a lot of pesto on it because I love it) and simply baked it. This time low and slow. So, so easy and absolutely rich, buttery and perfectly delicious.
Ingredients for Easy Arctic Char with Pesto
- Arctic Char
- Olive Oil (I use lemon olive oil, but regular olive oil will work just fine.)
- Rosie Daley’s Pesto
How to Make Easy Arctic Char with
Pesto
Set oven to 275 degrees. This bakes at this low temperature for just 20 minutes to ensure butteriness.
Just add a a drizzle of olive oil in the bottom of an oven proof dish. Then add the char with a small drizzle over the top of each piece, then place pesto on top. A teaspoon will work, but as you see in the photo, I use more just because I love it.
Notes
Recently I discovered that Wholefoods is carrying it now, and since I’m away from Texas now, I’m absolutely delighted. Arctic Char is back in our life again. I really love this wonderful fish and have never been disappointed. It Always comes out perfectly. I’ve made it numerous times and will include links to various methods, but this time, I thought I’d really make life easy and simply bake it.
All the recipes are delicious, but this one was really the easiest because I had earlier made Rosie’s Pesto and so I spread a little (actually a Lot of pesto on it because I love it) and simply baked it. This time low and slow. So, so easy and absolutely rich, buttery and perfectly delicious.
If you love Easy Arctic Char with Pesto as much as I do, try these recipes too:
Easy Arctic Char with Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 6 oz. Arctic Char filets
Instructions
- Set oven to 275 degrees.
- Add olive oil to baking dish.
- Place the filets in the dish and drizzle olive oil over top lightly.
- Place prepared pesto over top of each filet.
- When oven is up to temperature, add dish in oven uncovered for 20 minutes..
- Rosie Daley's Pesto1 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves2-5 cloves garlic 1/4 cup pine nuts1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese1/4 cup freshly squeezed kemon juiceAdd above ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Makes 3/4 cup pesto use or freeze for later.
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