Pan-Seared Opah: Quick And Easy

Opah, also known as moonfish, is a large silvery fish with bright red fins and a beautiful pattern on its scales. It is said to taste like a cross between halibut and branzino, with a meaty yet tender texture. To sear opah in a pan, start by seasoning both sides of the fish with salt and pepper. Next, heat some olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the opah and cook for around 3-4 minutes on each side, until browned and crispy. For a slightly rarer finish, aim for 1-2 minutes per side so that the inside is still pink. Serve with your choice of sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a side salad.

Seasoning and oiling the opah

Firstly, select your seasoning of choice. A simple combination of salt and pepper is a classic option, but feel free to experiment with other seasonings like lemon pepper or Tony Chachere’s. The chosen seasoning will enhance the natural sweetness of the opah, which is often described as having a flavour profile between tuna and swordfish.

Once you have your seasoning, it's time to prepare the fish. Cut the opah into smaller fillets, ensuring that the width of each fillet is consistent to allow for even cooking. Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel, as this will help the seasoning stick and create a crispy sear.

Now, it's time to season the opah generously. Sprinkle your chosen seasoning blend over all sides of the fillets, ensuring an even coating. Don't be shy with the seasoning, as this will add flavour and help create a delicious crust during the searing process.

After seasoning, it's important to choose the right oil for cooking. Extra virgin olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use avocado or coconut oil. Add a couple of tablespoons of your chosen oil to a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan. You want to ensure there's enough oil to create a thin layer coating the entire cooking surface.

Heat the oil in your pan over medium-high heat. The ideal temperature is when the oil begins to shimmer and moves fluidly around the pan. At this point, you're ready to add the opah fillets.

Place the seasoned opah fillets into the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook the fish for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side, or until a golden-brown crust forms. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your fillets, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Once the opah is seared to perfection, remove it from the pan and set it aside to rest. From here, you can choose to serve the fish as-is or with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for added brightness.

And that's it! You've successfully seasoned and oiled your opah, ready for a delicious pan-seared meal. Enjoy the buttery texture and unique flavour of this sustainable seafood option.

Heating the pan

To properly heat your pan for searing Opah, there are a few key steps to follow. First, ensure your Opah fillets are cut into even widths, about 3-ounce fillets, so they cook uniformly. Next, squeeze lemon juice over the fish, coating all sides. Season the fish with salt and pepper, and brush it with a little extra virgin olive oil. Set the fish aside.

Now, it's time to heat your pan. For this step, a grill pan or a stainless steel pan is preferred, but a non-stick pan will also work. Turn the heat to medium-high or high, depending on your stove, and let the pan heat up for a few minutes. You want the pan to be hot before adding the oil, so be patient. Once the pan is hot, add a light coating of olive oil. You can test if the pan is hot enough by adding a few drops of water to the pan; if the water sizzles and evaporates immediately, it's ready.

With your pan hot and oiled, you are now ready to sear your Opah. Place the fillets gently into the pan, being careful not to crowd them, and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until the fish has developed grill marks and is about 3/4 cooked. If you are using a thicker cut of fish, you may need to increase the cooking time to 4-5 minutes per side. For a rarer finish, sear for 1-2 minutes per side, leaving the centre slightly pink and translucent.

Remember, the key to a good sear is a hot pan, so be patient and allow your pan to heat up properly before adding the fish.

Cooking time and temperature

When searing Opah, it's important to get your pan nice and hot before adding the fish. Heat your oil of choice—extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil work well—in a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high to high heat.

Once your pan is hot, it's time to add your Opah. Depending on the thickness of your fish, you'll want to cook it for 3-7 minutes on each side. A good rule of thumb is to cook the fish until the sides are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). This should take around 5-7 minutes per side for a 1-inch thick fillet. If your fillets are thinner, adjust your cooking time accordingly; for a 0.5-inch thick fillet, 2-3 minutes per side may be enough.

Keep in mind that Opah is best enjoyed when it's still slightly pink or translucent in the centre, so there's no need to cook it all the way through. In fact, overcooking the fish will result in a dry, less flavourful dish.

When cooking, be mindful of any smoke or burning smells. If your pan starts to smoke excessively, reduce the heat or remove it from the burner temporarily until the smoke dissipates.

Once your Opah is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the pan and let it rest briefly before serving. Enjoy your perfectly seared Opah!

Creating a salsa or sauce

To create a salsa or sauce to accompany your pan-seared opah, you can try a few different options. A simple option is to squeeze lemon all over the fish before searing, which will add a tangy flavour to the dish.

You can also serve the fish with a salsa, such as a papaya-avocado salsa or a mango salsa. For the papaya-avocado salsa, you will need papaya or mango, pineapple, avocado, onion, cilantro, and black pepper. Dice the papaya or mango, pineapple, and avocado, and mince the onion and cilantro. Combine these ingredients and add black pepper to taste. This salsa is a combination of sweet and tart fruits with creamy avocado.

For a mango salsa, you will need vegetable oil, a clove of garlic, ginger, a shallot, a jalapeño pepper, orange juice, honey, and mint. Mince the garlic, ginger, shallot, and jalapeño and cook them in vegetable oil until softened. Then, add the orange juice, diced mango, honey, and mint, and cook over low heat until the flavours have combined.

Alternatively, you can make a sauce by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, scallions, salt, and pepper. Drizzle this sauce over the fish before serving.

Choosing a side dish

Opah, or moonfish, is a large, silvery fish with a unique flavour that can be simply seasoned with salt and pepper and seared in a pan. It can also be served with a variety of side dishes that complement its delicate taste. Here are some ideas for choosing a side dish to serve with your seared opah:

Salad

A light salad is a refreshing option to pair with your seared opah. You can keep it simple with butter lettuce and blood orange slices, or add some crunch with a bed of salad greens, such as butter lettuce, and top it with a light vinaigrette dressing. The acidity of the oranges or vinaigrette will balance the richness of the fish.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables, such as Asian beech mushrooms and bok choy mui (a smaller variety of baby bok choy), can add a nice contrast in texture and flavour to the seared opah. The earthiness of the mushrooms and the mild flavour of the bok choy will complement the opah without overwhelming its delicate taste.

Fruit Salsa

For a tropical twist, try serving your seared opah with a fruit salsa. A combination of sweet and tart fruits, such as papaya, avocado, and pineapple, will create a refreshing contrast to the buttery flavour of the fish. The creamy avocado and juicy pineapple will also add different textures to the dish.

Grilled or Seared Shrimp

If you're looking for a seafood side dish, grilled or seared shrimp can be a delicious option to pair with your seared opah. The shrimp can be simply seasoned and cooked, or you can try something like roasted shrimp with broccoli and cherry tomatoes for a more substantial side dish.

Simple Sides

Sometimes, less is more, and a simple side dish can let the flavour of the opah shine. Steamed white rice or roasted baby potatoes are classic choices that won't overpower the taste of the fish. You could also try a squeeze of lemon over the fish, which will add a bright, acidic note to the dish.

Remember, when choosing a side dish, consider the flavours, textures, and overall balance of the meal. You don't want to overwhelm the delicate taste of the opah, so choose sides that will complement and enhance its unique qualities.

Frequently asked questions