The winning dish that we selected was accompanied by bamboo rice, nasturtium purée, rice-bran-oil powder and champagne vinegar whip – pretty fancy ingredients! Arctic char is such a versatile fish, however, that it doesn’t require elaborate preparations to taste good. Farmed arctic char has a firm texture and a delicate but rich flavor – like salmon, only milder. (Arctic char is closely related to salmon and trout.)

More important, farmed arctic char is as sustainable as it is delicious. Arctic char is raised in land-based closed farms with recirculating water systems. Unlike open farms, where fish are raised in net pens in an open body of water, closed farms have minimal disease transfer, pollution and habitat effects. That's why arctic char is listed as a best choice on our seafood wallet card.

Make farmed arctic char your fish of the month, too! Try this fantastic recipe by Kim Stakal, our sustainable seafood educator:

Seared Arctic Char with Almond-Lemon Sauce
Serves 4.

Ingredients:
4 6-ounce farmed arctic char fillets
Sea salt and black pepper
¼ cup flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
½ lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Procedure:
1) Season fish lightly with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, dip fillets into flour to lightly dredge.
2) Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. When hot, add fillets and cook 3 minutes. Flip fish over and continue cooking until done, another 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
3) Add butter, lemon juice, almonds and parsley to pan. Cook until almonds are toasted and liquid has turned golden. Pour sauce over fish; garnish with lemon wedge and additional parsley, if desired.

Posted by Kassia Perpich, conservation

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