Tomato Basil Halibut Recipes

HALIBUT WITH PEPITAS, CAPERS, CHERRY TOMATOES, AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the pepitas lightly. Don't allow them to brown. As soon as you begin to smell them, remove the pan from the heat and transfer to a large plate. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Sprinkle the halibut on both sides with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet with an ovenproof handle over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer but is not smoking. Place the fillets skin side up in the hot oil and sear until the fish begins to turn color, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the fillets and add the lemon juice, wine, and butter to the pan. As soon as the butter melts and becomes foamy, add the capers and tomatoes and simmer until the tomatoes release some juices, about 1 minute.
• Place the pan in the oven until the fish is cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. Baste the fish with some of the juices and transfer to serving plates. Add the cup torn basil, pepitas, and the remaining teaspoon of salt to the pan juices and stir until the basil is slightly wilted. Spoon the mixture over the fish, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve.

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.

GRILLED HALIBUT STEAKS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; let stand for 30 minutes. Spread 1 tablespoon herbed butter over each halibut steak., Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill fish, butter side down, covered, over medium heat or broil, buttered side up, 4 in. from the heat for 5-1/2 minutes. , Spread 1 tablespoon herbed butter over each halibut steak; turn and spread with remaining butter. Grill or broil 5-6 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

HALIBUT WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, basil, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and garlic in a bowl, set aside.
• Rub fish with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill fish over medium-high fire about 5 minutes per side or until fish springs back when pushed with a finger, or the flesh is opaque.
• Spoon some tomato sauce on 4 plates.
• Put fish on sauce.

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.

GRILLED HALIBUT WITH TOMATO-BASIL SALSA

Steps:

• In a non-reactive bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Add the tomatoes and basil, stirring gently to combine. Set aside while you cook the fish.
• Preheat your grill to medium high.
• If your fish has skin on it, season the flesh side with salt and pepper. If it has no skin, place the fish on a folded piece of aluminum foil, large enough to hold the fish in one flat layer, coated with cooking spray. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the fish on the grill, skin/foil side down. Cook until the fish flakes with a fork, or is barely opaque in the middle. It should still look a little wet in the center.
• Remove the flesh from the skin (I just leave the skin on the grill and burn it off) or the foil, and place on a serving platter. Stir the salsa, then drizzle over the fish. Serve immediately.

TOMATO BASIL TOPPED HALIBUT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F; lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• In a small bowl, combine the tomato, basil, oregano and garlic. Add the oil and mix well.
• Arrange fish fillets in the baking pan. Spoon the tomato mixture over the fish. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until fish is cooked through and flakes when tested with a fork.