Nothing goes better with baked halibut than lemon and rosemary. By substituting meat with fish, we up our intake of healthy fats, which is a keystone of the Mediterranean Diet. This traditional recipe for halibut with lemon and rosemary is brought to you by Crete native Koula Barydakis. Read Koula’s write up about this recipe below.
Baked Halibut: A dish for a special occasion
I grew up in a small village in Crete where I learned to prepare the many traditional dishes that I still love cooking today. Some dishes are saved for special occasions like this recipe for baked halibut with lemon and rosemary. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, a feast is held on August 6th in honor of the transformation of Christ on Mount Tabor. On this day, I remember going to the small church near my parent’s house and eating fish after the service.
It is traditional to eat fish on this day so we prepare and share dishes with our fellow churchgoers such as this recipe for baked halibut with lemon and rosemary. Other dishes include octopus risotto, sardines in olive oil and vinegar and stuffed tomatoes and peppers (no beef added). I remember being a kid and watching my mom cooking fish and seafood, preparing for the feast. Halibut was one of the fishes she always cooked on August 6th and I still make it today! I harvest lemons and rosemary from the garden and use the freshest olive oil. My dad used to go down to the market and buy the fish fresh. Now, I follow in his footsteps.
I love fish and look forward to August 6th each year because the ingredients and aromas of the traditional dishes bring back old memories.
Enjoy!
Here are some other traditional Greek recipes that will go well with the baked halibut.
Artichokes, Green Peas and Potatoes
Baked Halibut with Lemon and Rosemary (Greece)
Ingredients
- 4-6 ounces halibut steaks
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, mashed
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 fresh tomatoes, cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp rosemary, dried or fresh
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, lemon juice, rosemary, mustard, salt and pepper. Sauté for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place the halibut steaks in one layer on a lightly oiled baking dish. Cover with rosemary mixture.
- Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until fish is cooked through and flaky.
Nutrition
About the Author: Koula Barydakis
