Brown Butter Halibut Orzo and Mushroom Broth
Simple Elegant Brown Butter Seared Halibut with Orzo and Earthy Mushroom Broth.
When the kids were toddlers, I had to get out of the house.
As a stay-at-home mom, I was doing exactly what I wanted to do, yet it was making me a little delirious.
I loved raising my babies and experiencing all their momentous occasions first-hand, but I desperately needed adult interaction.
Sweet Lt. Dan would plan a date night each week, so I would have a reason to get out of my spit-crusted yoga pants and make conversation that required full sentences.
He’s good like that.
Now that the kids are a little older, date night is no longer a necessity. Instead, we have dates for the sheer enjoyment of spending time together.
Honestly, sometimes I’d rather have a date-night in!
We recently went out to dinner, and I ordered a dish with a rich mushroom broth poured over the top. I was struck by the simplicity of the dish, yet with dark complex flavors.
Days after our grownup night out, I couldn’t stop thinking about that earthy mushroom broth poured over simple clean ingredients.
I had to try this concept at home.
I made my own mushroom broth, using fresh button mushrooms, dried woodear mushrooms, and dried shiitake mushrooms. (Note: Dried woodear mushrooms often smell like feet, but provide a robust mushroom flavor. You won’t notice the aroma once the mushroom broth is strained.)
Then I decided to make a classic seared halibut. Pan-frying halibut in brown butter creates a rich golden-brown crust on this light flaky fish.
I served the seared halibut and sherry sauteed criminis on a bed of DeLallo Organic Orzo, to provide texture and soak up the mushroom broth.
Then I gingerly poured the steaming-hot mushroom broth over the brown butter halibut and orzo.
This dish is somewhere between a pasta dish and a soup.
No matter how you categorize it, it’s sheer rustic elegance.
Perfect for a Date-Night IN.
More Date Night In Ideas:
Stuffed Flank Steak with Prosciutto and Mushrooms
Portobello Mushrooms with Kale Pesto ~Bev Cooks
Seared Scallops Fettuccine ~ A Thought For Food
Chicken Cacciatore with Tomato Basil Sauce ~ DeLallo
Mushroom Broth over Brown Butter Seared Halibut
Ingredients
For the Mushroom Broth:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 14 cups water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 pound fresh button mushrooms
- 1 cup dried woodear mushrooms
- 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
For the Brown Butter Seared Halibut with Orzo and Mushrooms:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 halibut fillets
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 8 ounces crimini mushrooms sliced thin
- 1-2 tablespoons dry sherry
- 1 pound DeLallo Organic Orzo
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
For the Mushroom Broth:
- Place a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute the onions to soften, 3-5 minutes, then add the garlic. Saute another minute, then the water, salt, and all mushrooms. (If all the water won't fit in you pot, add as much as possible, and add the remaining water after the broth has simmered down a bit.) Cover, turn the heat down a little, and simmer for 1 hour.
- Once the mushroom broth has simmered for an hour, strain out all the veggies and keep warm until time to serve.
For the Brown Butter Seared Halibut with Orzo and Mushrooms:
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet of medium-high, and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Thoroughly dry the halibut fillets with paper towels, then salt and pepper both sides.
- Cook the DeLallo Organic Orzo according to package instructions. Strain and set aside.
- Place the butter in the skillet. Allow it to melt and brown for 2-3 minutes, then place the halibut fillets in the skillet. Sear for 1-3 minutes per side, depending on thickness. DO NOT overcook the halibut. It should be just barely cooked through, to keep its moist flaky texture. Once the halibut it perfectly seared, Place it on a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Then add the mushrooms and garlic to the skillet. Saute for 5-10 minutes to soften and brown. Salt and Pepper to taste, then add the sherry. Continue to cook the mushrooms, until the sherry has absorbed.
To Assemble:
- Place a mound of orzo in 4 shallow bowls. Top the orzo with mushrooms and seared halibut fillets. Pour the mushroom broth in a serving bowl. At the table, allow each guest to pour mushroom broth over their bowl and serve immediately.
I love these, and I totally get the need to go out. Now I want to stay in more since my son is older, like you too, but date nights sure are nice!
I can relate about being a stay at home mom. As much as I love it and am fortunate to be home, I need adult interaction. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. I just may need to make this for our Valentine’s Day dinner in. :)
Simple, delicious & elegant…love ‘date night in’ dinners!
My skirt just flew up! Sommer, you have created a simple yet complex-flavored masterpiece—a real rustic beauty. “Date-Night In” may no longer be so intimidating for new cooks—especially when preparing fish—with your guidance and how-to link within this recipe post. Pan-seared light and flaky halibut? In brown butter? Homemade mushroom broth? Quality organic orzo by DeLallo cooked al dente? Soup or pasta dish, I’m there!
You can’t go wrong with a tasty mushroom broth and this meal is so nice and simple and tasty along with healthy!
This is definitely a comfort dish!
I’m like, on the floor right now.
Oh my word…that looks fabulous!
I’m thinkin’ this needs 2 be dinner tonight!!
What an absolutely perfect looking dinner! Love everything about it!!
I think mushrooms are my favorite thing to cook with. Especially the fancy ones! This looks beautiful. :)
Totally love mushrooms with orzo. Great meal!
This is stunning, Sommer! What a great date-night meal. I love the mushroom broth!
I’d take this date-night-in ANY night. It looks so comforting and delicious.
This looks fantastic! Can’t wait to try it!
I think my eyes just rolled back in my head – this sounds SO decadent and yummy!
We love halibut! So delicious cooked in so many ways. This looks fabulous.
This looks fantastic Sommer! YUM!