Halibut Poached In Lemon Fennel Court Bouillon Recipes

MARIO BATALI'S OVEN-POACHED HALIBUT IN OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Put a rack in the middle of the oven, and preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Pat the fish fillets dry, then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Allow the seasoned fish to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Chop half of the capers.
• Arrange half of the lemon slices in one layer in an 8-inch square glass baking dish. Arrange the fish fillets in one layer over the lemon slices. Top with all of the capers, the remaining lemon slices, and the 3 tablespoons of parsley, then pour the oil over the composed fish.
• Bake, covered, until the fish just flakes and is cooked throughout - 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Serve the fish with some of the lemon slices, capers, and oil spooned over. Sprinkle with parsley leaves.
• COOK'S NOTE:
• To reuse the leftover olive oil, strain it through a paper towel-lined sieve and allow it to cool to room temperature. It will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 week.
• Recipe adapted from: the website of The Jane Pauley Show (on which the technique was demonstrated).

HALIBUT IN SPICED COURT BOUILLON

Steps:

• In a 4- to 6-quart heavy saucepan bring wine and water to a boil with onion, carrot, celery, spices and salt and simmer 20 minutes. Add oil and halibut and poach fish at a bare simmer, covered, until just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer fish with a slotted spoon to 2 plates. Spoon court bouillon over fish. Sprinkle fish with fresh coriander and garnish with lemon wedges.

POACHED HALIBUT IN WARM HERB VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Put the mustard in mixing bowl and slowly whisk in 1 cup of the Vinaigrette. Whisk in the shallot. Put in a small saucepan and set aside. Bring the court bouillon to a boil in a 10-inch pot. Season the halibut with salt and pepper on both sides. Add the halibut to the pot and adjust the heat so the liquid just simmers. Poach until a metal skewer inserted into the center of the halibut meets only a little resistance and the skewer, when left in the fish for 5 seconds, feels barely warm when touched to your lip, about 5 to 6 minutes. The halibut should be rare (thinner steaks will be ready sooner). Take the steaks out ot the liquid as soon as they are done (discard the court bouillon). In a small saute pan with 1 tablespoon butter, saute leeks until tender. Meanwhile, add the herbs to the Vinaigrette and warm over low heat. Pull the skin off the halibut and place in the center of 4 plates. Spoon the Vinaigrette over and around the fish. Serve immediately, with steamed asparagus.
• Whisk together the mustard, salt, pepper, and vinegars. Whisking constantly, very slowly drizzle in the olive oil and then the corn oil. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

HALIBUT POACHED IN LEMON-FENNEL COURT-BOUILLON

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a saucepan, and add enough cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer briskly until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and return to pan to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in a pot wide enough to accommodate halibut fillets in a single layer, combine 10 cups water, the wine, fennel wedges, lemon slices, and remaining 2 3/4 teaspoons salt.
• Place parsley, bay leaf, and some of the reserved fennel fronds between the leek halves, and tie together with kitchen twine. Add to pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer briskly until fennel is barely tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan. Reduce heat so that liquid is barely simmering (190 degrees to 200 degrees). Add halibut in a single layer. Cook, adjusting heat so that steam rises but only a stray bubble surfaces, until fish begins to flake when gently pressed and an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of fillets registers 140 degrees, about 6 minutes.
• While fish is cooking, slice potatoes 1/4 inch thick, and divide among 4 shallow dishes. Remove 6 lemon slices from pot, and finely dice the peel. Melt butter in a small saucepan, and stir in lemon juice.
• As soon as the fish is cooked through, lift each fillet from pot using 2 slotted spatulas, and divide among 4 serving dishes. Add fennel wedges to dishes. Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cooking liquid over each fillet; sprinkle with diced lemon peel, and drizzle with lemon sauce. Garnish with remaining fennel fronds, and serve immediately.