Tomato Basil Topped Halibut Recipes

ROASTED HALIBUT WITH OLIVES, CAPERS, TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• Season the fish fillet with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Place the fish in the pan, gently pressing on the flesh. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes on 1 side, turn the fish over, and cook for another 2 minutes, or just until done. Remove from the heat to a serving plate and keep warm.
• In a medium saute pan, heat the butter on medium heat. When hot, add the olives, capers, tomato and garlic and cook until warm. Add the dry white wine and fish stock or clam juice. Cook another 2 minutes. Place olive mixture on top of the fish and garnish with basil.

POACHED HALIBUT WITH TOMATO AND BASIL

Steps:

• Season fish with salt and pepper. In a large skillet add the oil. Arrange fish in the pan and turn to coat in oil, then add garlic, shallots and wine. Top each fillet of fish with 1/4 of the tomatoes. Place the pan on the stove top and bring the liquid to a boil over medium high heat. Top the pan with a tight fitting lid and reduce heat to moderate. Cook fish 8 to 10 minutes until opaque and flaky, but not dry. Carefully transfer fish topped with tomatoes to dinner plates or serving plate with a thin spatula. Spoon pan juices over the fish. Squeeze the wedge of lemon over the cooked fish and top each fillet with lots of torn or shredded basil. Serve immediately.

PAN-SEARED MARINATED HALIBUT FILLETS

Steps:

• In a large sealable plastic bag, combine the 6 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, basil, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Add fish, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
• In a large flat skillet (do not use a ridged pan), pour light olive oil or vegetable oil, tilting pan to spread evenly. Warm over high heat until smoking, then add fish fillets. Brush top and sides with marinade. Cook until seared, about 3 minutes; turn and sear other side, about 3 more minutes. Brush top and sides with marinade again. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until centers of fillets are just opaque, 2 to 4 minutes more on each side depending on thickness, brushing with marinade as before. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve.

PALEY'S HALIBUT IN BASIL-TOMATO BROTH

Steps:

• Working in batches, puree the broth ingredients, except the egg whites, in a food processor. Transfer to a heavy-bottomed stock pot, over medium heat. Whisk the egg whites until frothy, and add to the pot. Whisk frequently until mixture comes to a boil and has a solid mass on top. There should be liquid and foam bubbling around the edges.
• Lower heat, poke a hole in the solid mass and continue to simmer for 1 hour. Remove from heat and cool at room temperature for 15 minutes. Ladle the broth through a fine-mesh sieve lined with a double layer of damp strong paper towels. Do not press; allow liquid to drip. Strain again, if necessary, to remove all particles. Keep broth warm.
• Pat the fish dry and season with salt and pepper. Dust with flour. Heat oil in a skillet until very hot but not smoking. Cook fish for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until browned and just cooked through.
• Place the fish in large shallow bowls. Pour about 1 cup of the broth over each. Sprinkle with basil and diced tomato and serve.

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.