Steamed Fish with Olive Butter
Steamed fish with olive butter in the microwave is a quick, flavorful way to get dinner on the table. Mix garlic, green and black olives, fennel seeds, and lime juice to make a zesty olive butter sauce. This easy sauce works wonders on any fish – think cod, tuna, or salmon – and even perks up shrimp and chicken. Cooking in the microwave keeps the fish moist and infuses it with the rich flavors of the sauce. Serve it with rice or bread to soak up all that delicious, garlicky olive butter.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work—, and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
The Medium Shallow Dish
The Anyhand Mitts
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
- ½ cup (50g) sliced olives in brine, mix of green and black preferred
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 2-3 inch long strips of lemon skin
- 8-9 oz halibut or cod filet, in one whole piece
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
- Place the olive oil or butter, sliced olives, chili flakes, and lemon strips in a Shallow Dish. Cover with lid (knob lifted).
- Cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the butter is melted and fragrant.
- Season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the fish in the Anyday dish and spoon the butter and olive mixture on top.
- Cover with lid (knob lifted) and cook in the microwave at Power Level 7tooltip for 5 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and cooked through. It should flake easily with a fork. If not, add more time in 30-second increments.
- Drizzle with lemon juice, and top with chopped parsley if desired.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Add some chopped or sliced garlic to the butter mixture for extra flavor.
- Use cod, mahi-mahi, or sea bass if halibut is not available.
- Try it with brown butter for a delicious and easy twist.
- Add herbs such as dill, chives, or chervil.
- Serve it with rice, quinoa, beans, or fresh veggies.
Recipe notes
- The thickness of the halibut determines how long it cooks. Thicker fish might need 1-2 extra minutes.
- When purchasing halibut, be sure to choose a filet that is whole rather than individual portions. This allows the fish to cook more gently towards the center, resulting in a tender and flavorful fish.
- If using frozen fish, keep the same power level and add 1-3 minutes of cooking time depending on the thickness of the fish.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.