Haddock Seared with Horseradish Aïoli & Lemon-Zest Breadcrumbs

Haddock Seared with Horseradish Aïoli & Lemon-Zest Breadcrumbs

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the lemon-zest breadcrumbs

  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1 cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the horseradish aïoli

  • 5 Tbs. mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp. prepared horseradish
  • 3/4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp. tomato paste
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the fish

  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • 4 thick skinless haddock fillets about 8 oz. each
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oven to 425°F.
  • Make the lemon-zest breadcrumbs: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until golden and crunchy, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool. Stir in the lemon zest and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside at room temperature.
  • Make the horseradish aïoli: In a small bowl, mix the aïoli ingredients, adding salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Sear-roast the fish: Heat the oil in a heavy 12-inch nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel and season on both sides with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. When the oil is shimmering hot, arrange the fillets evenly in the pan, skinned side up. Sear for about 2 minutes, without moving; then use a slotted metal spatula to lift a piece of fish and check the color. When the fillets are nicely browned, flip them and remove the pan from the heat.
  • Spread the seared side of each fillet with some of the aïoli and then a layer of breadcrumbs. (You may or may not need all of the aïoli and crumbs.) Put the pan in the oven and roast until the fish is cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes.
  • While the fish is roasting, put the parsley leaves in a small bowl; cut the lemon in half and squeeze some juice from one half over the parsley, to taste. Drizzle the parsley with enough extra-virgin olive oil to lightly coat the leaves, season with salt and pepper, and toss. The parsley should taste bright and lemony. Cut the remaining lemon half into four wedges.
  • When the fish is cooked, remove the pan from the oven and transfer the fillets to plates.
Keyword Seafood