Halibut

I'm fresh off the plane from Maui, and my first visit was so fantastic that I'm already plotting my return. There, the fruits of the sea were so abundant that I had fish at virtually every single meal, in fresh preparations from spicy tuna poke to seared, sesame-encrusted steaks. One of my favorite ways to enjoy local catch like ono was in a Hawaiian-style ceviche with a tropical coconut marinade. I missed the dish so much that when my sunburned self returned to overcast San Francisco, it was the first meal I prepared for myself at home.

Incidentally, this recipe is from The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the resort that I called home for an all-too-brief period of time. It's been the best stand-in for a beachside vacation — that is, until I find my way back to the island. For the recipe, read more.

Sometimes the simplest of meals are the most delicious. Take this uncomplicated fish and tomato dish, for example. There's nothing out of the ordinary, it's just a piece of firm-fleshed fish with a light pan sauce of garlic and tomatoes.

However, a hint of something special, say half a cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice, ensures that simple is not boring. Serve this fish with a side of mixed greens dressed with a garlic vinaigrette and topped with shaved parmesan cheese. Get the recipe that's sure to brighten your Wednesday when you read more

This Friday my sister and I are hosting our annual girls' getaway to the cabin. Every Winter, we grab our best friends and enjoy a leisurely couple of days in the mountains. The highlight of the event is Saturday wine tasting in Murphys. To make things more exciting, we've decided to give the whole weekend a Dionysus theme. Naturally, I'm cooking up a mouthwatering Greek dinner. We'll start with an assortment of mezes, including Greek olives, hummus and pita chips, meatballs with ouzo and mint, and crispy cheese-filled phyllo bites. Since the appetizers are a bit heavy, the main course will be on the light side: halibut roasted in grape leaves with a Greek country salad.

These recipes would also be wonderful at an Olympics viewing party, so check them out now, after the break.

When we asked you what your culinary resolutions for 2010 were, Filmgirl81 said that she hopes to "cook more fish" because it's way "cheaper to make at home and very healthy." I couldn't agree with her more, and that's why I found this delectable-sounding poached halibut recipe. Thick fillets are simmered in a light liquid of white wine and water. Red bell peppers provide a pop of color and permeate the dish with a subtly sweet flavor. The resulting fish is flaky and moist. For a midweek pick-me-up, serve with mixed greens lightly dressed with dijon vinaigrette and a glass of the leftover white wine. Look at the simple but satisfying recipe after the jump.

The beginning of the workweek is always on the strenuous side, so keep Monday nights as effortless as possible by selecting a swift dinner recipe that calls for ingredients you've already got on hand.

By doubling up on the amount of halibut and clams that you needed for last night's meal, you won't have to worry about hitting up the supermarket again.

Take a stab at a stress-free riff on cioppino, the classic San Francisco stew. With a mere 30 minutes, you can make a savory soup that's sure to allay any of your weekday stresses. See the recipe when you read more.

There's no better way to really catch Fall fever than to prepare a steamy seafood dish that also incorporates the season's top produce picks.

For dinner tonight, sauté aromatic leeks and unconventional hen of the woods mushrooms in butter, add broth, and simmer halibut and clams in liquid until just barely cooked.

The resulting meal, which is delicate both in texture and flavor, makes for an enjoyable end to the weekend. Ready to cook it? Then read more.