Grilled Halibut Steaks

ingredients

• 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• four 1-inch-thick halibut steaks (about 3/4 pound each)

• Accompaniment: fennel tsatsiki

preparation

• Prepare grill.
• In a dry small skillet toast fennel seeds over moderate heat, shaking skillet, until fragrant and a shade darker. In an electric coffee/spice grinder grind seeds. Mince garlic. Squeeze juice from lemon into a small bowl and stir in fennel, garlic, salt, and oil. Put halibut in a large dish and pour marinade over it, turning fish to coat. Marinate halibut, covered and chilled, at least 10 minutes and no more than 1 hour.
• Grill halibut on a lightly oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals until just cooked through, about 5 minutes on each side. (Alternatively, grill halibut in a hot oiled well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderate heat.)
• Serve halibut with tsatsiki.