Arctic Char is an ocean fish with a taste similar to trout. This week I made a few different things with a single char. One of the fillets I crusted in seeds and ate for lunch, the other I cured for a few days with whiskey and maple syrup, and the tail-end and scrapings from the spine, I chopped into tartare.
If you're a fan of fish tacos, you can swap the char with white fish, follow this recipe and serve the fillets in corn tortillas with you favorite slaw. I am including a very easy recipe for a sweet mayo which is also amazing with fried fish. Enjoy!
Serves 4
Marinade
• 1 or 2 Arctic Char fillets, cut into desired serving size. • 1 tablespoon sunflower oil • 1 teaspoon soy sauce • 1 teaspoon sugar • 1 teaspoon apple cider or wine vinegar • a pinch sea salt
In a bowl, mix all of the marinade ingredients, then add the fish. Let sit, covered, in the fridge, for about an hour.
Seed Crust
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds • 2 tablespoons flax seeds • 1 egg, beaten • 1/2 cup flour • 1/4 cup sunflower or grapeseed oil
In a food processor or blender, grind the seeds for about a minutes. Don't overdo it, you still want some whole seeds in there. Set aside.
Dust the char in the flour, dip it in the eggs, and roll in the seed mixture.
In a heavy bottom skillet, heat the oil until it sizzles and is very hot. Carefully add the fish to the pan, without overcrowding it, and turn the heat down to medium-high. Cook for 2 minutes on each side and transfer to a wire rack or paper towels. Repeat with the remaining fish. Season with salt and eat.
Sweet Mayo
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes, or until the sugar has disolved.