This recipe can work for nearly any flaky fish and comes together in minutes, thanks to a quick flash under the broiler. Anchovy butter adds an incredible punch of rich, savory flavor (we use anchovy paste, but diced anchovy fillets will work too), while cooking over a bed of lemons balances the butter’s richness.
Never tasted arctic char? It’s similar in color and texture to salmon, but tends to have a more delicate flavor and is usually a more sustainable choice.
Arctic Char with Crispy Lemons and Anchovy Butter
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil
6 lemons, thinly sliced
Flaky sea salt
2 arctic char fillets (about 1½ pounds)
1 teaspoon finely chopped chives
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, anchovy paste, garlic and pepper and stir to combine.
- Brush a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Layer the lemon slices on the sheet, slightly overlapping, creating a bed for the fish fillets. Lightly drizzle the lemons with olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper.
- Pre-heat boiler on high. Place each fish fillet on the bed of lemons. Pour the anchovy butter over each fillet, distributing evenly. Place baking sheet under the broiler until the fish is almost cooked through, about 5 minutes (cooking time will vary based on thickness of filets).
- Transfer the fish fillets along with their lemon beds to a platter. Sprinkle with the chives, and serve immediately.
