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Pan-Seared Swordfish with Creamy Dijon-Caper Sauce

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 6, 2014

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Pan-Seared Swordfish with Creamy Dijon-Caper Sauce

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) swordfish steaks, about ¾ inch thickSalt and pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 shallot, minced12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved½ cup crème fraîche 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

Before You Begin

Halibut or salmon steaks of a similar thickness are good alternatives to swordfish.

Instructions

  1. Pat fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook fish until golden brown and registering 140 degrees, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer fish to platter and tent loosely with foil.
  2. Add shallot to now-empty skillet and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and cook until just softened, about 1 minute. Stir in crème fraîche, mustard, and capers and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top fish with sauce, sprinkle with tarragon, and serve.
Pan-Seared Swordfish with Creamy Dijon-Caper Sauce

Pan-Seared Swordfish with Creamy Dijon-Caper Sauce

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) swordfish steaks, about ¾ inch thick
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 shallot, minced
12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup crème fraîche
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) swordfish steaks, about ¾ inch thick
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 shallot, minced
12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup crème fraîche
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) swordfish steaks, about ¾ inch thick
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 shallot, minced
12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup crème fraîche
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

Why This Recipe Works

Slim 3/4-inch-thick swordfish steaks cook quickly in the skillet. Crème fraîche cooks down to a slightly tart, creamy pan sauce.

Before You Begin

Halibut or salmon steaks of a similar thickness are good alternatives to swordfish.

Instructions

  1. Pat fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook fish until golden brown and registering 140 degrees, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer fish to platter and tent loosely with foil.
  2. Add shallot to now-empty skillet and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and cook until just softened, about 1 minute. Stir in crème fraîche, mustard, and capers and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top fish with sauce, sprinkle with tarragon, and serve.

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