Baked Halibut With Arugula Salsa Verde Food

BAKED HALIBUT WITH WINE AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a medium gratin dish or baking dish, make a bed of herbs with the thyme, parsley and bay leaves, scatter the garlic on top. Reserve 4 parsley sprigs, for garnish. Season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper and lay on top of the herbs. Add in the vermouth, and drizzle 2 tablespoons of the oil over the fish, cover loosely with foil. Bake until the fish is opaque, about 20 to 22 minutes.
• Carefully, pour the pan juices into a small saucepan and set the fish aside. Keep the garlic and 4 thyme sprigs for garnish. Bring the sauce to a boil, over high heat, reduce by about 1/2, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside. De-bone the fish; running a spoon handle along each side of the center bone, then lift the bone out. Peel side off and discard. Divide fish steaks in half crosswise, among 4 serving plates. Pour sauce over fish and serve with a dollop of tapenade, if using, on top and garnish with the thyme sprigs, garlic, and tomatoes.
• To make the tapenade: Combine the olives, oil, thyme, and lemon zest, stir to combine. Season with pepper and set aside.

ROASTED HALIBUT FILLETS WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the halibut. Spoon some of the salsa over the fish and serve.

HALIBUT A LA VASCO CON ALBUIAS EN SALSA VERDE (BASQUE-STYLE HALIBUT WITH WHITE BEANS AND HERB SAUCE)

Steps:

• For the white beans: Put the white beans in a container with the 4 cups water and soak overnight. The next day, drain the water and put the white beans, salt, carrot, celery, thyme, bay leaf, onion and 6 cups water in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and skim any foam that forms on top. Simmer gently so as not to break the beans, until they are soft in the middle, about 2 hours. Take the pot off the heat and let the beans cool in the liquid. Drain, reserving the bean cooking liquid.
• For the fish stock: Put the olive oil, fennel, leek and onion in a 1-gallon stock pot and cook over medium heat to soften without browning, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and lemon juice. While that is going, wash the fish bones in cold water and then add to the pot with the bay leaf and 8 cups cold water. Bring the stock up to a rolling boil, then lower the heat and simmer, skimming off any foam that forms on top, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain the stock and cool in an ice bath. (Makes about 6 cups; leftover fish stock can be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 2 months.)
• For the white bean stew: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over low heat, add the garlic and let it brown slowly. Once it starts smelling of cooked garlic, whisk in the flour so it dissolves into the oil to make a roux. Whisk in the wine and 2 cups of the fish stock until smooth. Increase the heat to medium high, bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce gets too thick, add up to 1 cup of the reserved bean cooking liquid. Add the white beans and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and 2 teaspoons Calabrian chile flakes-add more if you prefer spicy. Add a little lemon zest and juice. Keep the stew warm while you cook the clams and halibut. Just before serving add the parsley to keep it as green and fresh as possible.
• For clams: Put the clams in a pot and with wine to cover. Cover the pot and bring the wine to a boil over high heat, to gently open the clams. As soon as the clams start to open, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate.
• For the fish: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the halibut on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear the fish skin-side down until the first layer of fish starts to turn white, about 3 minutes. Flip, and cook until sides of the filets have turned white and the fish feels firm in the middle when you push down on the tops, another 2 minutes.
• To serve: Stir the parsley into the white bean stew. Divide the stew and clams among 4 bowls and top each with a piece of halibut, skin-side up. Sprinkle with some chopped parsley and serve.

PAN-SEARED HALIBUT WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Grate enough zest from lemon to measure 1/2 teaspoon and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice. Chop capers and in a small bowl whisk together with zest, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/4 cup oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly until blended. Whisk in herbs.
• Pat halibut dry and season with salt and pepper. In a nonstick skillet heat remaining tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook halibut, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and just cooked through, about 7 minutes total. Serve halibut topped with salsa verde and garnished with lemon wedges.