Pretend your are in a fancy, expensive spa and imagine being pampered with a delicious meal. I have been making this recipe for my health conscious friends for years using different types of fish. The butternut coulis and mushrooms are vegan and are very low in calories. For fish I have used whatever is available and fresh. Red snapper or cod are good choices. For this occasion I roasted some asparagus as an additional vegetable. This meal serves four with some leftover coulis. I live in Santa Cruz where over half the population is vegetarian and some folks are vegan. This is the perfect dish because they don't have to eat the fish and all I have to do is substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. The coulis can be turned into a delicious healthy soup by adding additional broth. Last Saturday I invited some friends who were in a middle of a health crisis and needed a comforting and healthy meal. This one fits the bill. A good meal will let you forget about the problems and fears you are facing and enjoy the moment. For an appetizer, I served my baked goat cheese with fresh herbs and garlic. We sat outside enjoying the warm evening, dipping fresh baguette in our goat cheese and sipping a glass of 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon from Hewitt Vineyard which my friends had brought. The meal was a great success. The halibut was a little overdone, so watch the time when you roast it. My friend’s immune system would not allow any uncooked fish. This is one dish I always plate before serving. I am sorry about the quality of the photos, it does not reflect the food. I have tried to photograph this several times before but what can I say?… I am a slow learner and I am not devoting much time to improving my photography skills. It shows! My dream is to take a workshop somewhere in Europe where I might improve my photography skills. I had some fresh raspberries and blueberries in my refrigerator . For dessert I decided to make my favorite galette. Okay, this is where I chose not be too healthy and got some bitter caramel ice-cream from the Penny Ice-Cream Shop in Santa Cruz. These guys make the absolutely best ice cream ever. I loooooove the bitter caramel and yes, I know that vanilla ice-cream probably would go better with the galette. But I couldn't help myself. If you are ever in Santa Cruz and before you hit the beach, treat yourself to ice cream from this wonderful creamery. It is worth every bite.
50 Comments
5/28/2016 01:41:20 am
These are all great recipes. I have printed and will try them. Yummy!
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Gerlinde
5/28/2016 07:06:38 am
Enjoy them and let me know if you have any questions
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Marilyn
5/28/2016 09:39:23 am
Gerlinde, Yea! I finally got this.
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Marilyn
5/28/2016 11:31:11 am
Thank you Marilyn , you are so sweet. Have a great weekend.
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5/28/2016 10:20:28 am
Absolutely delightful feast. Roasted halibut, butternut quash coulis, edamame and mushroom sauce, baked goat cheese, scrumptious galette, what more can one ask for! Lucky friends! :)
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Gerlinde
5/28/2016 11:32:54 am
Looking at your blog I know that your family and friends are also very happy when you cook.
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5/28/2016 11:27:28 am
Sigh... Gerlinde I really did feel like I was at an elegant spa. What a lovely narrative you wrote. You created such a pleasant, companionable scene. (By the way, I thought the photos were great too.) The dinner sounds divine. I've been trying to eat more fish, but there aren't many ways that the end result is tasty when I'm the cook. I usually stick to baked tilapia. This however, I might try.
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Gerlinde
5/28/2016 11:34:55 am
Teagan, wouldn't it be fun if I could cook for you and you write my stories.
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5/28/2016 05:05:43 pm
Indeed it would. It would also be wonderful if I lived in that part of the country. I did my California dreaming for a couple of decades. Now I'm just trying to get back to the southwest. Beautiful meal Gerlinde, perfectly heathful and tasty. Halibut is one of my favorite fish and the vegetables and squash puree look delicious. That galette though is a work of art, the crust looks so flaky and delicous and the bitter caramel ice cream sounds amazing.
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Gerlinde
6/3/2016 11:49:08 am
The crust recipe comes from Jaques Pépin, I changed very little. He is a fantastic old school cook
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5/28/2016 02:57:10 pm
Your photography totally conveys how delicious the food was Gerlinde! It's making me want to try each and every dish! From the halibut to that incredibly delicious looking baked goat cheese (I'd eat the whole plate full) to that gorgeous galette! Wish we lived closer because I'd love to be treated to that entire meal! Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend friend!
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Gerlinde
5/29/2016 10:38:03 am
Thank you, my friend. The goat cheese appetizer is something I have made for years and a lot of my friends have asked for the recipe.
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5/28/2016 11:49:28 pm
Great recipes and delicious even if one's not being health conscious!
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Gerlinde
5/29/2016 10:40:15 am
Thank you Kay, I am not particular health conscious myself.
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Gerlinde
5/29/2016 10:42:24 am
Thanks Penny, my feed burner is really slow these days. Oh well, I just have to be more patient.
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Gerlinde - your meal looks just perfect! I always tend to overcook halibut; I must work harder to find the best method! I can't wait to try your roasted goat cheese - I already know I will be making it in a week or so for entertaining some friends. And the galette? Perfection!
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Gerlinde
5/29/2016 10:49:45 am
Thank you David, you can be very creative with the goat cheese . I love the sage and all the herb, my husband loves the garlic. I added walnuts the other day . It makes great leftovers sprinkled on a salad.
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Gerlinde
5/29/2016 10:52:36 am
Thanks Kathryn, your friends are lucky to have you. I am also taking some Barre classes and it is hard and difficult.
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5/29/2016 04:04:33 pm
Your are a dear person to make this lovely meal for friends. It sounds wonderful - and I could eat fish everyday! Have a nice holiday Monday Gerlinde.
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Gerlinde
5/31/2016 10:12:28 am
We are fortunate to live on the coast where fresh fish is usually abundant. Although it is getting very expansive. Have a great week Tricia.
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I'm a believer in food as a healer. It would be impossible not to feel better after such delicious food, wine and good company. I love how versatile and various diet friendly each of the components of your dinner party are. But the colours are what stood out for me visually. I loved the photos :)
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Gerlinde
5/31/2016 10:13:25 am
Thanks EllaDee, that's very kind of you.
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5/30/2016 08:12:20 am
Such a scrumptious meal and the dessert is fabulous! I can vouch for the Bitter Caramel ice cream, sublime! Happy Summer Gerlinde!
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Gerlinde
5/31/2016 10:15:13 am
Thanks Deb, and sublime describes Penny's ice cream very well.
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Jo Nell Huff
5/30/2016 02:51:30 pm
Now this is comfort food! I feel better just reading about it. Around here comfort food would be very simple. Your friends were fortunate to have you prepare such splendid comfort food but they did bring good wine. Cheers! Oh, you photographic skills are fine!
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Gerlinde
5/31/2016 10:17:33 am
Thanks Jo, I enjoy photography but I need to learn more.
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5/30/2016 04:21:46 pm
I feel pampered just reading it. I can imagine how special your guests feel. GREG
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Gerlinde
5/31/2016 10:19:50 am
Thanks Greg , have a great week.
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5/31/2016 05:43:12 am
I know your friends must have appreciated the meal…I know I certainly would have.
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Gerlinde
5/31/2016 10:21:12 am
Thanks Karen , wouldn't it be fun to cook together.
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5/31/2016 09:59:40 pm
Hi Gerlinde! This dish looks delicious! How lucky that you live in Santa Cruz. It is one of my favorite places to visit. :)
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Gerlinde
6/3/2016 11:51:16 am
It would be fun to meet the next time you are visiting Santa Cruz.
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6/1/2016 04:34:18 am
Hi Gerlinde, The halibut with coulis looks amazing, but what really caught my eye is your baked goat cheese appetizer. No doubt, this is a crowd-pleaser. Brilliant! Can't wait to make it. All the best, Nancy
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Gerlinde
6/3/2016 11:54:29 am
Hi Nancy, the goat cheese appetizer is a winner and you can be creative by adding things you like. Good luck with your move.
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6/1/2016 10:11:48 am
Love a fishy dinner! Combining fish with the coulis is a super idea -- tons of flavor. Terrific menu, too -- such nice balance. Thanks!
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Gerlinde
6/3/2016 11:56:30 am
Thanks John, the coulis with the fish is a good combination.
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I think if I lived in Santa Cruz and came over to your home for a meal, I'd KNOW I was in the best. spa. ever. I love to cook fish and look forward to using your recipe. Oh, and thanks to you I roast asparagus often now. BTW, I think your photos are just right.
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Gerlinde
6/3/2016 11:59:13 am
Pam , you are so sweet. We would have a good time here in Santa Cruz and while I cook you can write my blog posts. You are a talented author.
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Gerlinde
6/3/2016 12:01:20 pm
Last night I stir fried asparagus and topped it with bacon. It was very tasty. 6/4/2016 01:54:56 pm
This looks like a terrific meal. Your goat cheese appetizer looks absolutely amazing!
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Gerlinde
6/4/2016 05:51:53 pm
Thank you Gerlinde
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Hallo Gerline - Gruesse aus Sued Indien von einer gebuertigen Deutsche (auch wenn mein Deutsch nun schon etwas eingerosted ist - so bitte, vergeb' mir) :) Durch Zufall kam ich auf Deinen Blog - und nun 'folge' ich Dir auch. So viele gute Rezepte und ich mag wie Du schreibst. Ich bekam richtig "Heimweh" als ich Deine Photos aus Muenchen sah - Suelze, meine Mutter mochte die soooo gerne.
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Gerlinde
6/5/2016 10:20:16 pm
Vielen Dank für den netten Kommentar, ich habe mich sehr darüber gefreut. Blogging macht mir Spaß. Hast Du ein Lieblingsrezept ?
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11/7/2017 08:07:39 am
I think these these photos are drool worthy! I can taste it now. GREG
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Gerlinde
11/7/2017 09:06:09 am
Thanks Greg, I appreciate the compliment. I am still struggling with taking photos.
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