Sauteed Opah with Lemon-Miso-Honey Sauce

Opah is another local fish that I enjoy eating. Opah is also known as moonfish as well as sometimes sunfish kingfish and a few other less common names. It has a unique round shape--hence the moonfish name, and it can reach up to 200 lbs, although most caught in Hawaii average about 100 lbs. It has a dense, moist flesh and a medium, slightly rich flavor and is often eaten raw, broiled or smoked as well as steamed or poached, sauteed and baked. Since it was fresh and wild at the store this week, I picked some up for tonight's dinner. I tend to either steam my Opah and sprinkle it with green tea salt or saute it and top it with a quick creamy lemony honey miso sauce that I think enhances the natural sweetness of it's flesh.

Sauteed Opah with Lemon-Miso-Honey Sauce
By Deb, Kahakai Kitchen

(Serves 2)

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Opah fillets (4-6 oz)

a pinch each of good quality sea salt and freshly ground pepper

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1 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp white miso paste

Juice of 1 medium lemon

1 Tbsp local honey

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 Tbsp cream (optional)

salt to taste

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

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Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat and add oil. Lightly salt and pepper fillets and cook over medium heat until done and fish flakes easily. (About 4 minutes per side depending on thickness). Meanwhile melt butter in a small sauce pan or skillet over medium-low heat. Add miso, lemon juice and honey and stir until blended, reduce heat to low and cook sauce for 5 minutes. Add pepper, cream if desired and chopped cilantro. Serve over fish, garnish with additional cilantro leaves and lemon wedges.

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The sauce is simple, the honey adds a bit of sweetness to the tang of the lemon. You can easily get away with just the miso and no cream and still get a "creamy" sauce but if I have the cream to use up, I throw it in to make it a bit more decadent. Plus you really aren't putting a lot of sauce on the fish--so splurge a little! You could also omit the cilantro and/or use parsley or another herb you like--I just happen to be a cilantro freak. I usually serve my fish with some kind of rice (pictured is an Indian lemon rice mix) and green salad. A nice simple dinner because The Next Food Network Star starts tonight! It starts at 7:00 PM here. I can't wait to see who I will like and who will annoy the @#%* out of me! ;-)