Braised Halibut With Asparagus Baby Potatoes And Saffron Recipes

BRAISED HALIBUT WITH ASPARAGUS, BABY POTATOES AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Crush saffron threads between your fingers and place in a small bowl or ramekin. Add 1 tablespoon warm water and set aside.
• In a mortar and pestle, pound together almonds, garlic and anchovies along with a pinch of salt into a paste. Set aside.
• In a heavy straight-sided skillet or wide saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season fish with salt and pepper. When oil is hot, sear fish for 1 minute on each side. Remove to a plate or platter.
• Reduce heat to medium and add anchovy paste to pan. Cook, stirring and scraping bottom of pan, until garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Stir in 3 cups water and stir to deglaze bottom of pan. Add potatoes and a pinch of salt. (Don't salt to taste now or broth will become too salty when reduced later.) Bring to a boil. Add saffron with soaking water, reduce heat, cover and simmer until potatoes are just tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Carefully add seared halibut fillets and asparagus to pan. Tip in any liquid that has accumulated on the plate or platter, and bring back to a bare simmer. Cover and poach gently for 5 minutes, or until fish is opaque and asparagus is tender. With a slotted spoon or tongs, carefully remove fish fillets to 4 warm wide soup bowls. If necessary, simmer asparagus for another minute or 2. It should be tender but not too soft.
• Divide potatoes and asparagus among the bowls. Turn up heat and reduce liquid in pan by half, stirring. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in parsley and basil and simmer 20 to 30 seconds. Spoon broth over fish and vegetables and serve.

BUTTER-ROASTED HALIBUT WITH ASPARAGUS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Thinly slice one-quarter of asparagus into coins and place in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Heat butter and 2 Tbsp. oil in a small saucepan over medium. As soon as butter is melted, add Aleppo-style pepper and remove from heat.
• Season fish with salt and black pepper on both sides and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Scatter ramps and remaining asparagus around fish; season with salt and black pepper. Pour butter mixture over fish and vegetables. Give vegetables a toss to evenly coat. Roast, undisturbed, until fish is just opaque in the center and asparagus is bright green and tender, 15-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.
• Toss olives, chives, lemon juice, 2 Tbsp. tarragon, and remaining 5 Tbsp. oil with reserved asparagus; season with salt and black pepper.
• Transfer fish to a platter; top with ramps and asparagus. Spoon some olive mixture over, then scatter tarragon leaves over. Serve with potatoes, lemon wedges, and remaining olive mixture alongside.

BRAISED HALIBUT

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a skillet just wide enough to hold the fish. When hot add the vegetables and saute for a minute or so just to get them sizzling. Add the wine, cover and cook over very low heat until wilted, about 10 minutes.
• Set halibut over the vegetables, season with salt and pepper and add stock or broth just to cover. Simmer, covered, over low heat, until fish is just done, about 10 minutes.
• With a slotted spatula, remove haibut from the liquid and divide into two portions. Set each portion in the bottom of a deep soup plate and garnish with carrot threads or snow peas; season the broth and spoon it over the top; garnish with black sesame seeds if you wish.

SLOW-ROASTED HALIBUT WITH ASPARAGUS AND SALSA GENOVESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Put 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a shallow baking dish. Place the fish fillets in the baking dish and turn to coat them with the oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon the wine around the fish. Bake until the fish just flakes, about 20 minutes.
• Whisk a tablespoon or 2 of the juices from the baking dish into the salsa and oil mixture to thin and flavor it, then spoon the sauce over the fish. Serve at once.
• Add all the ingredients except for the olive oil and pulse until nearly pureed. With the machine running, add 6 tablespoons olive oil through the feed tube, pureeing until the mixture is almost smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container with a thin film of olive oil on top to protect it from oxidizing. The flavors will stay lively for 2 to 3 days.

SEARED HALIBUT WITH PARMIGIANA ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• For halibut: Preheat a 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and butter. Season halibut with salt and pepper and dust with the flour, shaking off the excess. As your butter starts to brown, gently lay each steak in your pan. Allow to cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, approximately 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• For asparagus: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Trim and clean your asparagus. In a large bowl add cleaned asparagus, minced garlic, minced shallots, and extra-virgin olive oil. Season, to taste. Lay prepared asparagus on a half sheet pan and roast until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Right before taking your roasted asparagus out of the oven liberally top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. The heat of your pan should melt your cheese.
• To serve, place 4 pieces of asparagus on a plate, top with golden brown halibut steak. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Garnish with a sprig of chervil or chives

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.

HALIBUT WITH ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS (SOUTH BEACH DIET)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450.
• Toss asparagus, mushrooms and scallions with next 4 ingredients (1/4 t. salt). Roast for 5 minutes on a large baking sheet.
• Push veggies to each side of the baking sheet and place the fish in the center of the sheet. Season fish with remaining salt, pepper and lemon juice. Roast for about 10 minutes longer or until fish flakes with a fork and veggies are tender.

WHITE FISH WITH BRAISED LEEKS AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Crush saffron and a pinch of kosher salt with a mortar and pestle (or with the side of a large knife) until combined. Stir in hot water; set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large straight-sided skillet or braiser pan over medium. Add leeks; season with kosher salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bright green and evenly coated, 3 to 4 minutes. Add vermouth and tomatoes; cook 1 minute.
• Add saffron water and broth; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer, partially covered, until leeks are completely tender, about 25 minutes.
• Season both sides of fish with kosher salt and lemon zest; drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Nestle into leek mixture, cover, and cook until fish is opaque and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir remaining 1 tablespoon butter into broth. To serve, toss together herbs and sprinkle over fish, then drizzle with more oil and season with flaky salt.

BRAISED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cut off the woody white ends of the asparagus spears. If desired, remove the tough fibrous outer layer from the lower half of each spear using a vegetable peeler.
• In a straight-sided saute pan, heat oil until smoking. Add asparagus in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and cook undisturbed until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes. Shake pan to turn spears and cook another 1-2 minutes. Add stock and butter to pan and immediately cover.
• Cook until spears are tender and butter and stock have emulsified into a lightly-thickened sauce, 7-10 minutes. (If sauce evaporates and butter begins to burn, add a couple of tablespoons of water.) Serve at once.

ASPARAGUS WITH SHALLOT BUTTER

Steps:

• Peel the asparagus, using a swivel-bladed knife, starting about 2 inches from the top. Remove the tough ends.
• Bring enough water to a boil to cover the asparagus. Add salt and the asparagus and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until crisp tender. Drain well, reserving 3 tablespoons of the liquid. Arrange on warm platter.
• Combine the shallots, lemon juice and reserved liquid in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook over high heat until half the liquid evaporates. Add butter gradually, stirring rapidly with a whisk. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring rapidly, 1 minute. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus and serve.

HALIBUT-ASPARAGUS STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add fish, onion, garlic, gingerroot and asparagus; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until fish almost flakes with fork.
• Carefully stir in remaining ingredients. Cook until fish flakes easily with fork and mixture is thoroughly heated. Serve with additional soy sauce.

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.

LEMON-CAPER BRAISED HALIBUT

Steps:

• Season the halibut with salt and pepper. Coat a medium nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium-high heat. Add the fish; cook for 5 minutes per side, until cooked through. Transfer to a platter and cover to keep warm.
• Reduce the heat to low. Add the oil, tomatoes, capers, and lemon juice; cook for 1 minute, stirring. Arrange the spinach on 2 serving plates; top with the fish. Spoon the sauce over the halibut and garnish with the parsley. Serve with the bread.

SLOW-ROASTED HALIBUT WITH SHAVED ASPARAGUS AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• For salad:
• Whisk lemon juice and mustard in small bowl. Gradually whisk in oil, then add capers. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature and rewhisk before using.
• Place 1 asparagus spear flat on work surface. Using vegetable peeler, shave asparagus into long thin strips. Place asparagus strips in medium bowl with shaved fennel. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• For fish:
• Coat rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, and lemon peel in another medium bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle melted butter over. Using fork, toss to incorporate evenly.
• Place halibut fillets on prepared baking sheet, spacing apart. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide breadcrumbs among fillets to cover top (about 1/3 cup each), pressing to adhere. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and chill.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake halibut until opaque in center, about 20 minutes. Turn on broiler. Broil halibut just until breadcrumbs start to brown, about 1 minute.
• Place 1 halibut fillet on each of 6 plates. Pour dressing over asparagus and fennel mixture; toss to coat. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Divide salad among plates and serve.

ASPARAGUS WITH BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Peel the lower part (root end) of the asparagus stalks with a vegetable peeler.
• In a large nonreactive saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the asparagus in one layer, cover and cook over high heat for about 6 minutes, to the desired tenderness. Lift asparagus from the water (most of it should have evaporated) and arrange on a platter.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter in a skillet until it is lightly browned and stops smoking. Sprinkle the asparagus with the salt and pepper, and pour the hot butter over it. Garnish with parsley, and serve immediately.

HALIBUT AND ASPARAGUS STIR-FRY

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add halibut, onion, garlic, gingerroot and asparagus; cook and stir 2 to 4 minutes or until fish almost flakes with fork. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt.
• Carefully stir in remaining ingredients. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until heated through and fish flakes easily with fork. Serve with pasta and additional reduced-sodium soy sauce if desired.