Macadamia-Crusted Sea Bass

Macadamia-Crusted Sea Bass with Squash Puree

· 2 pounds sea bass (3-4 filets)

· ½ cup macadamia nuts

· ½ teaspoon tarragon

· Salt and pepper

· 2 tablespoons olive oil

· 3 tablespoons butter

Preheat the oven to 350. Toast the macadamia nuts for 8-10 minutes. Place in a food processor and crush into fine crumbs, almost to a powder.

Season the sea bass with the salt, pepper and tarragon, then coat the top and bottom of the filets with the crushed macadamia nuts.

In a large skillet (one that is also oven safe) heat the oil and butter over medium high heat. Sear the sea bass for 2-3 minutes on each side (our filets were very thick, about 2 ½ inches, so we seared them for 3 minutes each side.). As you sear the fish, use a spoon to baste it several times with the hot oil and butter.

Place the skillet in the oven and bake the fish until it flakes easily with a fork, about 10 minutes.

Serve with warm squash puree.

Yields 4 servings.