Pan Roasted Arctic Char w/ White Bean Puree and Pesto

Artic Char is a great fish! The flavor is a cross between Trout and Salmon. If you can't find Artic Char then you can use Trout or Salmon instead. The pesto really adds a freshness to this dish and a pop of flavor. Enjoy!


2 Fillets of Artic Char
2 cups of canned white beans
4 cloves of garlic
2 cups of chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon ground fennel
2 handfuls of fresh basil
Juice and zest from 1 lemon
1/2 cup of olive oil
2 dollops of butter
Salt and pepper

Pesto
Place basil, lemon juice and zest, 2 cloves of garlic, and salt and pepper into a food processor and blend until broken down then while the processor is running add the olive oil in a steady stream. Continue to blend until a paste is formed. Place in a container and put into the refrigerator. Hint: This can be done up to one day ahead.

Bean Puree
Place beans, stock, ground fennel, and 2 cloves of garlic in a small sauce pan over medium high heat. Season with salt and Pepper. When this comes to a boil lower heat to medium low and cook for another 15 mins. Place in a blender and blend until silky smooth. Keep in the blender until ready to serve. Hint: It would be best to blend bean mixture while the Artic Char is in the oven.

Artic Char
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat frying pan over medium high heat. Add the 2 dollops of butter and when melted add the seasoned Artic Char skin side down. While cooking in pan spoon melted butter over top of the Artic Char. Cook this way for 5 mins then place pan in the oven for another 5 mins.

To plate, Place Char atop bean puree and then spoon pesto over the fish.