Light, different and tasty all describe this week's recipe. Since it features fish, you can add to that list a healthy measure of nutritional value.

The name "halibut" originates from the Middle English term hali, meaning holy, because the fish was often eaten only on holy and fasting days. And since butte meant flatfish, the halibut could be literally known as "holy flatfish."

Ecologically, Pacific halibut is a good choice and it contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Steaming it produces a nice light flaky texture.

The coarse sea salt with its crusty quality and hint of ocean-like flavor is the ideal rub for the fish. The ginger imparts a pungent and spicy quality. The soy sauce gives a pleasant Asian accent.

The sesame oil, with its rich amber color and aroma, is a great way to cut out the butter normally associated with cooking fish. Sesame oil�s smokiness blends well with the somewhat sweet essence of the peanut oil producing a distinctive flavor. The cilantro completes the combination of oils and provides a sprinkle of color to the fillets.

The green beans add color and fresh garden taste and texture to the dish. So take a break from baked, poached or fried fish and create a dish that is sure to surprise and please.

Steamed Halibut with Ginger and Green Beans

Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh green beans
• 1 lb. halibut (4 fillets), rinsed and patted dry with paper towel
• 1/2 tsp. coarse sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
• 3 Tbsp. thinly sliced green onions
• 1 Tbsp. low-sodium dark soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. peanut oil
• 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro sprigs, lightly packed

Directions

1. Steam green beans for about 5 minutes and set aside.
2. Gently rub both sides of the fillets with salt. Place them onto a heatproof ceramic dish. Sprinkle ginger over top.
3. Place dish onto a steamer over several inches of boiling water and cover. Gently steam fillets for 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Remove ceramic dish from steamer. Sprinkle green onions and drizzle soy sauce over fillets.
5. Heat peanut and sesame oils in small skillet over medium high heat until they just begin to smoke. Then carefully pour on top of fillets. Use caution because hot oil will cause onion and residual water on fillets to pop and spatter. Arrange green beans around fillets. Garnish fish with cilantro and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
200 calories
7 g total fat
1 g saturated fat
8 g carbohydrate
26 g protein
4 g dietary fiber
410 mg sodium

Recipe Yield: 32

Ingredients

• 1 can pumpkin (15 ounce)
• 1 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup yogurt, low-fat plain
• 1-1/2 cups flour (all purpose)
• 1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together pumpkin, sugar, oil, and yogurt.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, and salt; add to pumpkin mixture, stirring until just moistened.
4. Stir in raisins.
5. Pour into 2 greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pans and bake until done, about 55 minutes.
6. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely.
   

Source: Adapted from Iowa State University Extension recipe, Food for Fitness and Fun, November 2000