Roasted Halibut With Tomatoes Saffron And Cilantro Recipes

ROASTED HALIBUT WITH SAFFRON-FENNEL BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon butter and the saffron in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until the butter melts, about 1 minute. Let cool 5 minutes. Place the remaining butter and the fennel seeds in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the melted saffron butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and continue pulsing until the butter is bright yellow. Transfer to a piece of plastic wrap and form into a 4-inch log; freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. (The saffron butter will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.)
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the sliced fennel, garlic, the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons water in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons water and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover with foil and bake until the fennel is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Toss the tomatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the tomatoes over the fennel. Set the halibut on top of the vegetables; drizzle with the juice of the remaining 1/2 lemon and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake, uncovered, until the halibut is firm and no longer translucent, about 12 minutes; remove from the oven and top each piece with a thin slice of saffron butter. Return the halibut to the oven and bake until the butter just begins to melt, about 2 more minutes. Serve with fennel fronds.

PAN SEARED HALIBUT WITH ROASTED HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add the grapeseed oil. Season the fish with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Sear the fish for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Add the thyme and juice of 1/2 a lemon and baste the fish with the sauce. Remove the halibut from the pan to a serving platter. Add the olive oil to the pan and stir in the tomatoes, the garlic and the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Cook for 2 minutes and then add the parsley. Stir to combine and serve on top of the fish.

HALIBUT FILLETS WITH CREAMY SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk yogurt together with salt, pepper, Aleppo pepper or cayenne, and shallot. Rub saffron between your fingers to crush it, then stir it into yogurt mixture. Let sit for about 20 minutes (or covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours). Just before serving, add juice, taste, and adjust seasoning.
• Sprinkle halibut with salt and Aleppo pepper or cayenne. Put butter in nonstick skillet large enough to hold halibut, and turn heat to medium. When the butter melts, add fish, and cook gently, turning once or twice, until a thin bladed knife meets little resistance when inserted into the thickest part, generally less than 10 minutes.
• Serve fish hot, warm, or at room temperature, with the sauce spooned over it.

BAKED HALIBUT WITH TOMATO CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, three to five minutes, and add the garlic and the capers. Cook, stirring, for three to five minutes, until the onion has softened thoroughly and the mixture is fragrant. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar. Stir in the thyme, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot or cold.
• Make the sauce as directed and keep warm.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Oil a baking dish large enough for the fish to lie flat. Season the fish with salt and pepper, and arrange in the baking dish. Drizzle the olive oil over the fillets, and place a round of lemon on each one. Cover the dish tightly with foil, and place in the oven. Bake 15 minutes. Check the fish; if you can cut into it with a fork, it is done. If it doesn't yield, (halibut fillets tend to be thick can take time to cook), cover and return to the oven for five minutes. Remove from the oven, and check again. Remove the lemon slices from the fish.
• Place a spoonful of sauce on each plate, and place a piece of fish partially on top. Spoon some of the liquid from the baking dish over the fish. If you wish, top the fish with another spoonful of sauce, garnish with basil leaves and serve.

ROASTED HALIBUT OVER BRAISED POTATOES, TOMATOES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Add the oil to a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, then line the bottom with the potato rounds. Season with salt and pepper, add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Once the potatoes are softened, drain off the excess water so there is only a small amount left on the bottom. Scatter the lemons, shallots, tomatoes, wine, olives, capers and thyme over the potatoes. Dot with the butter. Season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides and put on top of the potatoes.
• Make a parchment lid for the skillet by cutting a piece of parchment paper that's larger than your skillet. Fold it in half, then fold it in half again in the other direction so you have creases on 2 sides of the paper. Starting with the folded tip, fold on the diagonal 3 times, like a fan, to form narrow triangles. Measure how large your parchment lid should be by placing the tip of the triangle above the center of the skillet and cutting it where it hits the edge of the skillet. Cut off the folded tip to make a small hole in the center. Open up the parchment and set aside.
• Open the parchment lid and place it over the skillet. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the potatoes are soft and the halibut is fully cooked and no longer translucent, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove the parchment lid. Serve, drizzled with some of the sauce from the skillet and some oil, then sprinkle with the parsley.