Macadamia-Crusted Halibut Recipe

By
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.
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Updated on 02/25/22
Raw Halibut Steaks
Debbi Smirnoff / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
784 Calories
59g Fat
32g Carbs
37g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 784
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 59g 76%
Saturated Fat 15g 76%
Cholesterol 191mg 64%
Sodium 134mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 37g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 81mg 6%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 882mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Say macadamia nuts and you think Hawaii, you think sweet, you think cookies. But ground macadamia nuts make a fabulous and interesting coating for mild halibut fillets baked in the oven and finished with chopped cilantro.

Cod or another thick, firm-fleshed white fish can be substituted for the halibut in this recipe. This recipe is found in "U.S.A. Cookbook" by Sheila Lukins.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/2 pound macadamia nuts, unsalted, roasted, very finely chopped

  • 1 pound fresh halibut, cut into 4-ounce fillets

  • 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat the oven to 375 F.

  3. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

  4. Place the flour in a shallow bowl.

  5. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the cayenne pepper.

  6. Place the chopped macadamia nuts in a third shallow bowl.

  7. Dredge the halibut fillets in the flour, shaking off any excess.

  8. Dip them in the egg mixture and then dredge them in the ground nuts, covering them completely.

  9. Place the fillets on the prepared baking sheet.

  10. Drizzle each fillet with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter.

  11. Bake in the center of the oven until just done, 10 to 15 minutes. (Test the edge of one of the fillets for doneness by probing it gently with the tines of a fork; if the flesh flakes easily, it is done.)

  12. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Facts About Halibut

Halibut is in the flounder family, and it's referred to as a hippo fish, not just because of its scientific name (Hippoglossus stenolepis) but also because of its whopping size at maturity.

Some female Pacific halibut can grow to 400 pounds. Pacific males are generally smaller, at about 125 pounds. Atlantic female halibut are not quite as large—from 100 to 150 pounds generally—with males about 50 to 100 pounds. Still, that is one big fish. Only tuna, swordfish, and some sharks are bigger. They live to be about 40 years old on average and are found in the Atlantic and Pacific and especially in the waters surrounding Alaska.

Like all seafood, halibut is good for you. Not counting any breading or frying, a half-pound filet has 379 calories and 28 grams of fat, including 4.9 saturated grams. It contains 0 carb grams. Halibut is an excellent source of potassium and vitamins D, B6, and B12.

Macadamia Nut Nutrition

In this recipe, macadamia nuts add flavor, interest, and calories. One ounce contains a bunch—204. It also has 21 grams of fat, of which 3.4 grams are saturated. The nuts also add nearly 4 grams of carbohydrates to your daily number. But the good news is that nearly 2.5 grams of that is fiber and macadamia nuts also are a good source of magnesium.

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