Composition: Wood-Fire Arctic Char

We celebrate the delicious Arctic char, the northernmost freshwater fish with remarkable nutrition and sustainability qualities. To savor fresh Arctic char, we cook it rare over wood fire with light Eastern-Western seasoning to bring out its natural flavor. Paired with roasted rainbow fingerling potatoes and wood-fire broccolini, it creates a beautiful culinary tableau of different colors and textures.

Composition elements

Wood-Fire Arctic Char with Dijon Mustard and Garam Masala Rub
Fresh Arctic char fillet lightly rubbed with Dijon mustard and garam masala, cooked rare over wood fire

Roasted Potatoes
Oven-roasted fingerling potatoes with skin, brushed with olive oil and fresh rosemary

Wood-Fire Broccolini
Wood-fire broccolini tossed in spicy olive oil

Lemon wedge
Sprinkled over Arctic char and broccolini

Staging, plating, substitution, leftovers notes

Pairing

This composition calls for a well-rounded red wine that can stand up to the wood fire flavors, but does not overpower the lean Arctic char. We are looking for wines with a little bit of tannins, an overall balanced body, and some fruitiness. Excellent pairings include Grenache. Avoid Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet-Sauvignon blends.

What makes it special

Aurélie

I discovered arctic char when I was dog-mushing in Swedish Lapland. It was fished by locals in nearby lakes. Every time I eat Arctic char, I am reminded of the beauty of the Arctic winter and wilderness.

Artic char is the northernmost freshwater fish. It is related to salmon and trout, and therefore rich in healthy omega-3 fats. Arctic char is also one of the few fish rated as sustainable (Seafood Watch green) whether farmed (in Iceland mostly) or caught in the wild.

Since Arctic char is similar to salmon, we prepare it in the same way as salmon, cooked over wood fire with an exotic garam masala and Dijon mustard rub. The flesh of Arctic char is leaner and has a more rustic texture that salmon. It goes wonderfully well with roasted potatoes and flavorful grilled broccolini seasoned with garlic.