Sea Salt/ Vinegar Potato Chip and Pistachio Crusted Haddock
When we were at Whole Foods the last time we stocked up on meat and fish. It is pretty expensive, so I usually just get whatever is on sale or the cheapest. This is a way for me to ensure I am getting quality and “happy” meats and fishes, while at the same time, try new things since I am not always familiar with preparing what is on sale. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find good local sources, as of yet…hard to believe, I know…
When it comes to fish, I always look for “Wild” and “Fished in the USA”. So this time that meant we bought haddock and flounder. Not the most exciting visually or taste wise, (I prefer more fatty fishes like salmon and tuna, but Roberto is allergic), but I decided this would be a great exercise in expanding my horizon. I have never cooked with haddock before, so I decided to give it a whirl. I needed some inspiration, so I went on Twitter and asked around to all my buddies what to do with Halibut (since I misread what I actually had, halibut, haddock, same diff right?) and I got some great suggestions, like frying it, or making fish tacos. But this was a martial arts night and so I knew when I got home I would be exhausted and I am trying to watch weight right now, so frying was out of the question for right now (although in the future – definitely!). But my buddy Peter from Kalofagas suggested his recipe for Pistachio Crusted Halibut, using dijon mustard and panko.
So I decided to do a version of that. I didn’t have all the ingredients in his recipe on hand, so I went through the fridge and pantry to see what I could sub in. We really enjoy Salt and Vinegar flavored natural Kettle Chips, and in the back of the pantry I found an almost empty bag. So I decided I could use that in lieu of breadcrumbs – plus vinegar goes great with fish. I spread dijon mustard and Greek yogurt on the fish and then smooshed my potato chip and pistachio mixture on top. Then I put it in the fridge until we got home. I also sliced up some carrots rounds and fresh fennel bulb strips that we had left over from the farmers market, drizzled them with olive oil and seasoned them with salt and pepper and roasted them at 350 for about 20 minutes.
When we got home. I put the fish on top of the fennel and carrots, and baked everything at 350 for another 20 minutes. It turned out really delicious. All the flavors really complimented each other and it really brought to like otherwise boring haddock!
INGREDIENTS:
There were no real measurements here – I just kind of eyeballed everything…
Haddock (or halibut) steaks
Greek Yogurt
Dijon Mustard
Pistachios
Salt and Vinegar Potato chips
Salt and Pepper
Fresh Carrots and Fennel, sliced
METHOD:
See above post.
Elle - March 9, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I love that you used salt and vinegar chips! A definite stroke of genius. The fish looks fantastic!
Peter - March 9, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Jenn, very resourceful…leftover Queenie I say & tell ya! Potato chips and salt & vinegar ones at that…a whole new meaning to fish & chips.
Next time, try the lemon, orange and lime zest…very refreshing.
Thank you muchly for the link-luv.;)
Patsyk - March 9, 2009 at 12:47 pm
What a great idea! I love the idea of using those crushed salt & vinegar potato chips, too. Yum!
Happy Cook - March 9, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wow with the pistachio crust the fish must have been so yummy delicious.
kat - March 9, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wow, that sounds great & I might need to steal that potato chip idea!
Ryan - March 9, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I love this – sounds like a great twist on the British classic of fish and chips with lots of salt and vinegar. All you need to complete it are some mushy peas.
Not sure how healthy using kettle chips in place of frying is though!
Superchef - March 9, 2009 at 1:13 pm
truly a leftover queen!! π looks great though.
marguerite - March 9, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Yum!! That sounds GREAT!!
Judy - March 9, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Great job winging it Jenn! May to do some of that myself. No water sucks!!!
NΓΊria - March 9, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hey, I love the ingredients you used to bake the fishy fishy ;D. I should try myself too… it’s anything but boring π
dawn - March 9, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Look at that topping! Oh man! I totally love that you used salt & vinegar chips–those are so flavorful.
joan nova - March 9, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Me, too! Salt & vinegar chips paired with pistachios sounds delicious to me.
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie - March 9, 2009 at 2:56 pm
What a great idea to use the salt & vinegar chips in combo with pistachios! That has to make such a delicious crust!
pam - March 9, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Great sub with the potato chips!
nina - March 9, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Delicious, Jenn! I am glad there is another foodie who also goes for cheap and available….Well done on this meal!!! You ARE the Leftover queen indeed!!!
Aimee - March 9, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Super nice! Great guy, Peter.
erin :: the olive notes - March 9, 2009 at 4:15 pm
that sounds SOOOO good..maybe we’ll try it on potato cakes or tofu π
courtney - March 9, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Now that sounds good!Im surprised you havent found a local sopurce for meat yet. Any butchers there? I bet they have local.
Tartasacher - March 9, 2009 at 5:46 pm
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Peter G - March 9, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Yum! This is a wonderful idea Jenn! Fish and chips never looked better!
The Duo Dishes - March 9, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Salt and vinegar are our fave chips…next to Doritos. But Doritos on fish would never work! This is a winner.
Sara - March 9, 2009 at 9:38 pm
What a great idea to use the chips! I always buy what’s on sale, so much easier and cheaper.
Sue - March 10, 2009 at 1:04 am
I LOVE using potato chips for coating stuff. That sounds so good. I like that you threw in carrots too. They are great as last minute vegetables.
And your pictures are fantastic.
Bob - March 10, 2009 at 1:48 am
Ok, every time someone says “Oh, I just happened to be at Whole Foods” I get wicked jealous. I do most of my shopping at 7-11! I get maybe one trip to a real grocery store a month, it’s never a good one like Whole Foods or even Trader Joes and I have to freeze everything right away! Grumble.
Er, sorry. That does look wicked good. π I’ve been wanting to eat more fish, now that I’ve actually found some I like. And coating it with potato chips and pistachios must be awesome.
Tracy - March 10, 2009 at 8:37 am
Love the crust on this, great idea with the yogurt and dijon to hold the pistachios and breadcrumbs.
RecipeGirl - March 10, 2009 at 8:40 am
oh, great idea w/ the salt & vinegar chips! We love those things so I can imagine they’d make awesome bread crumbs!! Good job Jenn π
Jonzie - March 10, 2009 at 9:23 am
Now, that looks and smells already fabulous. I’m going to have to convince my vegetarian girlfriend or just get rid of her (joke:)
By the way, thanks for stopping by
Aggie - March 10, 2009 at 6:21 pm
You are so creative…and it looks delicious! I’m sold with those chips, they are my fave. Yum Jenn!!
varsha - March 10, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Hi Jen,
That chips got me hooked..my fav..what a delightful dish..:)
Its my first time here I guess..totally loved your space..:)
Maggie - March 10, 2009 at 6:47 pm
OOooo, salt and vinegar chips are a dangerous ingredient to bring into the house, they’re so addictive. This looks great if I can resist eating the chips straight up.
lo - March 10, 2009 at 11:27 pm
That salt and vinegar combo would be EXCELLENT on fish. Reminds me of a great bass recipe I made once… with pringles. Bet yours tasted a whole lot better!!
elly - March 11, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I’m not the world’s biggest fish fan, but with these ingredients, I don’t think I could pass it up! I LOOOOOOOVE salt and vinegar chips. Mmm.
Jude - March 14, 2009 at 2:31 am
Tha prices for meat and fish at whole foods make me cringe, sale or not. Sounds like a great recipe. Will I go to foodie hell if I do this for frozen fish?
Laurie - March 14, 2009 at 3:30 am
Pistachio encrusted fish is my favorite.. i’ll have to try it on haddock. Pistachio’s anyway you use them are pretty awesome though!
Deborah Dowd - March 14, 2009 at 5:13 pm
How funny! I have always thought that salt and vinegar potato chips would make a great fish crust, but I have never tried it!
Angela@spinachtiger - April 25, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Jen
I’ve been thinking about halibut lately and wanting a new recipe. I love kettle chips and think this is something I’ll have to try.