The Halibut Dinner

The evening of the Halibut Dinner was the inspiration for the blog. I knew I would write about this. Please let me share.

Recently, I lost an aunt who was very dear to me. Aunt Ro was a dynamic, and outrageously funny person. She was a natural born comedienne, and one of the most giving people I knew. Needless to say, she had a gift for creating much laughter and warmth in the family. At a young age of 74, Aunt Ro had unexpectedly died in her sleep.

My mom was visiting me in Florida when this occurred. I had to tell her of the event. I watched my mother's eyes as I quietly broke the news, and knew that with each word I was breaking her heart. Aunt Ro was her younger sister, and only sibling. They were as close as two sisters could be. I also knew, that collectively, the family heart would break, over and over again.

We flew back to New Jersey...it was the week of Thanksgiving. My cousins (Aunt Ro's kids) were working together on the arrangements. Saying this was a difficult task, is a huge understatement. My heart was with them...how does anyone prepare for this...especially at Thanksgiving.

Early in the week, my mom invited my cousins and significant other to her house for dinner. We gathered in the Dining Room. At first the mood was quiet. Then slowly, we began sharing childhood memories. As we sat around the table, I noticed the "spread" my mom pulled together...fresh baked halibut with olive oil and lemon; roasted potatoes and onions; cooked, breaded cauliflower; a loaf of warm, crusty Italian Bread; of course salad. How did she prepare all of this? Afterall, she was grieving herself!

As the evening progressed, it seemed that the light from the chandelier grew softer, and the conversation became a little lighter. Then, the neighbors started pouring in. Some had lived there over 20 years...some were fairly new to the neighborhood. At one point, we had official representation from Korea, India, Croatia, and Ecuador! Suddenly, the Halibut Dinner turned into the United Nations Feast, and the connection among family and friends formed one supportive bond. For a brief time, things seemed a little bit better for all of us!

I attribute the warmth, good food, and healing environment to my mom...Mama Melisi. She always found a way to bring people together...especially around the dinner table!
Aunt Ro was the same way, and somehow that evening, I felt she was very much with us!

With this blog, we share all of the recipes from The Halibut Dinner. In between cooking, love your family and friends, and take time to break bread and laugh together.

This is dedicated to Aunt Ro, and my mom...sisters forever...and to all those who have experienced loss in their lives.

Always With Love,

From Mama Melisi and Me

Baked Halibut Ingredients:

1 lb Halibut
Extra virgin olive oil
Lemon pepper
2 to 3 cloves crushed garlic
Fresh parsley

Cooking Directions:

Spray a baking dish with regular pam or olive oil flavored Pam
Rinse the halibut with cold water and pat dry with paper towels
Cut into serving pieces and place in baking dish
Sprinkle the top with lemon pepper and chopped parsley
Drizzle the top of the fish with the extra virgin olive oil
Place crushed garlic around the fish
Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 15 min or until the fish is opaque
Serve with slices of fresh lemon (optional)

Roasted Potatoes Ingredients:

2 lbs of golden yukon potatoes
2 good sized onions
Garlic salt, black pepper, oregano

Cooking Directions:

Peel potatoes
Cut the potatoes in half and then slice each half into 3 or 4 chunks lengthwise
Slice the onions into generous sized slices - not too thin
Spray a baking dish with pam
Mix the potatoes and onions together and place into baking dish
Sprinkle with garlic salt, pepper and about 1 tsp of oregano
(Do not overpower the flavor with too much oregano)
Drizzle with olive oil and bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour until golden brown
I occasionally toss the potatoes around during the baking time to have it evenly roast

Breaded Cauliflower Ingredients:

Medium sized head of cauliflower
1 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
2 Tblsp. parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Cooking Directions:

Rinse the whole head of cauliflower and place in a pot big enough to hold the head intact.
Add water up to 1/2 of the head of cauliflower, cover and steam until tender (approx 15 mins.)
Remove - cool and carefully cut each flowerette from the head
ANOTHER OPTION is to cut the raw cauliflower into flowerettes and steam
Line cookie sheet with foil and spray with pam
Wisk the 2 eggs together with a tblsp of water, black pepper and grating cheese in pyrex bowl
Mix 1 cup Italian flavored bread crumbs with 1/2 cup of four in another bowl
Dip each flowerette in the egg mixture and then into the bread crumb mixture
Place on to the cookie sheet
Drizzle with olive oil
Bake in a 350 degree oven till golden brown (for 1/2 hour to 3/4 hour)