How To Cook Opah?
How to cook opah? The by far easiest way to prepare opah is by placing it in a preheated oven at 350 °F and cooking for 30 minutes with a bunch of other vegetables and herb mixes.
But we’re not letting you off the hook that easy (excuse the pun). If you really want to learn how to prepare opah, you’ll have to check out our detailed opah recipes below, handpicked just for you!
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How To Cook Opah?
Although cooking opah may appear daunting, it’s actually not that difficult. The opah is a very forgiving fish, and all it requires to turn into a tasty dish is a whole bunch of perfectly blended spices – we’ve got that part covered.
So, if you’re not satisfied with our quick and easy recipe above, keep reading the article to find out how to cook opah outside an oven preheated at 350 degrees F.
What Is Hawaiian Opah?
Hawaiian Opah is one of the most colorful fish you’ll ever have a chance to catch or eat. It’s also known as the moonfish and is native to the water of Hawaii, but you probably figured out the last one on your own.
In addition to having a beautiful appearance, the opah is also quite a popular dish in Hawaii – it can be eaten off the grill or out of the oven and will taste just as fantastic either way. It’s also a great source of many nutrients if eaten in moderation, so if you’re lucky enough to come across it, make sure to stop and take a bite!
Is Opah A Good Fish To Eat?
No, in all honesty, it’s not a good fish to eat – it’s an amazing one!
First and foremost, opah is just about the most versatile fish out there. You can fry it, bake it, pan-sear it, or even eat it raw. There’s a whole world of culinary possibilities out there when you’re cooking with opah.
In addition to its versatility, opah meat tastes surprisingly not fishy. Some people like to say that when cooked and seasoned right, opah fillets come out tasting like beef or pork. So, this fish is a great start for all first-time fish eaters out there.
One last thing – opah fish, is may be extremely beneficial to your health if eaten in moderation since it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, selenium, and phosphorus.
So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about opah and some show-stopping tips on how to prepare it.
What Fish Is Similar To Opah?
All sea fish are similar to one another, but some fish are just more similar than others. So, how does this work with opah?
Well, opah is a translucent fish that turns white when completely cooked. Also, when prepared the right way, it tends to have a buttery taste while still remaining firm. Because of the above, it’s commonly described as a hybrid of tuna and Chilean sea bass in the culinary world.
Just like both tuna and Chilean sea bass, opah has some special ways of cooking, so scroll down to see the best opah recipes we’ve prepared just for you!
How Long To Cook Opah Fish?
Just like with any fish or any meal for that matter, it depends on what you’re planning to do with it. Are you planning on eating some fresh opah or maybe placing it in the oven to roast with some fresh tomatoes and shallots? Or hey, maybe you’d like to try preparing grilled opah for a family dinner.
If you’re planning on eating it fresh, you’ll be done before you know it. Then again, opah in the oven is going to take about 30 minutes plus a bit of additional prep time.
But, don’t stress it. We’ve got everything covered. Just scroll down and find the cooking times for all the opah dishes you can imagine, plus some great culinary tips and tricks too!
How To Bake Opah Fillet?
The most important thing to know about cooking opah is not how to slice it or even how long it should stay in the oven.
For a delicious opah fillet, it’s crucial to know how to season it! The seasoning is really what gives opah that flavor kick. So, before we start discussing cooking times (and we will), make sure to follow this step-by-step recipe for perfectly seasoning your opah fillets.
- Cover the fish fillets with extra virgin olive oil – this is going to help keep all the seasoning on and also prevent the fish from sticking to the baking dish.
- Generously season the fish with salt and pepper, making sure to cover both sides of the fillet.
- Add some garlic powder and fresh thyme to the mix and rub it over the opah.
- Lastly, sprinkle the opah with some lemon juice to really bring out its flavor!
Now that you know how to season an opah fillet to perfection, you’re all ready for the next steps!
How To Bake Opah?
The opah is not a demanding fish to bake. After 30 minutes a medium heat or, more specifically 350 °F, it should be more than done. However, along with the perfect seasoning and cooking time, what makes a great opah dish is not the fish alone but the vegetables you pair it with!
Therefore, when baing opah, we recommend adding some garlic cloves, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives. Make sure to season them just like the opah we showed you above.
Bake the vegetables with the opah until they start to turn that chef-famous golden brown. Once everything is done, you and your family can enjoy opah fillets with a side of some delicious roasted vegetables!
How To Cook Opah In The Oven?
Just like other fish fillets, you’re sure to run into opah fillets at your local market or grocery store on the corner. But the question is – what do you do once you buy them?
Well, one guaranteed way of making a tasty opah dish is cooking it in the oven. Luckily, we’ve prepared our best Mediterranean Baked Opah recipe just for you. Here we go!
- First things first – preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- While it’s heating up, pour a bit of olive oil onto a baking dish. For any beginners reading this, the olive oil helps the opah steaks not stick to the baking dish and makes your clean-up time that much easier.
- Season the opah fillets generously with salt and pepper. Don’t forget the other side!
- Place the fish in the pan and cover it with extra virgin olive oil.
- Our favorite step – vegetable and seasoning time! Chopp up a bell pepper or two, olives, some shallots, and grape tomatoes into a small bowl. Add a few crushed garlic cloves – if you’re out, don’t stress it. Garlic powder will do the trick.
- Season the mix with a bit of thyme, crushed red pepper, and some more salt.
- Add the seasoned vegetables into the baking dish and cover everything with two teaspoons of lemon juice.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Experts recommend cooking the meat until its internal temperature is a safe 145 F, so if you have a meat thermometer somewhere nearby, be sure to check!
- Once the opah is cooked to your liking, take it out of the oven and serve with those delicious vegetables!
How To Cook Opah Loin?
There’s really a whole bunch of ways out there to make opah loin. However, we’re not any old chef in town, and that’s why we’re going you a unique recipe that will make your opah loin stand out from all the rest. Let’s go!
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, saute a tablespoon of shallots, jalapeno peppers, ginger until they begin to soften.
- Grate a bit of lemongrass into the pan once the other ingredients have softened.
- Add the couscous and cook at medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes.
- After a minute or two, add lime juice and 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock and bring the entire thing to a simmer.
- Cook the mix for 10 to 12 minutes. Once the pasta is tender, you’re all done with this part. Another obvious tell-tale is if all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Once the pasta is done, place it aside and cover it, so it remains warm.
- To make this a bit easier and shorter for you – repeat steps one and two using a smaller pan this time.
- After 2 minutes, add one diced mango, a tablespoon of honey, and juice from 1 orange.
- Cook this mix until you notice the mango has softened.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the opah loins seasoned with some salt and pepper.
- Sear the fish for 4 to 6 minutes o each side. Remember – if you have a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature until it reaches 145 F.
- Once the fish is ready, congratulations! Serve up with couscous and mango salsa and stand amazed at your own culinary expertise.
How To Cook Opah Fish On The Grill?
In all honesty, we’ve shown you a really complicated way to make opah. It’s delicious, don’t get me wrong, but there are simpler ways to prepare this fish, and it turns out delicious just the same. So, here is a simple method of cooking opah fish on the grill. Enjoy!
- Oil your grill with vegetable or olive oil and heat it up to high.
- Cover the fillets in olive oil – this prevents them from sticking to the grill and helps the seasoning stick to the fish!
- Seasoning – season both sides of the fillet with some salt and pepper.
- Place the seasoned fillets on the heated grill and close the lid.
- Grill for 2 minutes.
- After 2 minutes, flip the fish and grill for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
After three more minutes on the grill, the opahs should be grilled medium-rare. If you want to be super on the safe side, check the internal temperature of the fish. If it’s 145 F or over, you’re all done and ready to dig in!
See? Simple.
How To Cook Peas From Frozen?
Peas can be a great addition to opah, and if you have some frozen ones lying around, here is a simple and quick way to make an excellent side dish for your fillets.
- Add water to a pan and boil over high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, place the peas into the water and reduce it to a simmer.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. The cooking time may differ, so make sure to check the packaging for detailed instructions.
- In a few minutes, your peas should be ready to go!
How To Cook Opah Moonfish?
Like we’ve said before, opah moonfish is one of the most versatile for cooking since it can turn out delicious both on the grill and in the oven. However, if you’re still unsure of what o do with it, go back and check out our step-by-step recipes for some more inspiration!
Summary
After this article, you now know how to cook opah – place it into a preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. You’re ready to grill it, pan-fry it, or bake it in the oven. You can literally do just about anything, so once you’ve settled on a recipe, grab the opah and start cooking!