ALMOND-CRUSTED HALIBUT CRYSTAL SYMPHONY
July 28, 2020
ALMOND-CRUSTED HALIBUT CRYSTAL SYMPHONY
When you’re done this halibut dish melts in your mouth! The credit goes to my future mother-in-law! If you can find creme fraiche you may substitute it for the heavy cream. Each filet should be between 3/4 and 1 inch thick.

Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter – chilled, cut into tablespoon-size pieces
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 (6 ounce) fillets halibut
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup minced blanched almonds
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions:
- Make beurre blanc: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine wine, vinegar, shallots, thyme and bay leaf. Boil until liquid has evaporated. Stir in cream, and boil until liquid is reduced by half; decrease heat to low. Whisk in butter, 1 piece at a time, adding each new piece before previous one has melted completely. Do not allow sauce to simmer, or it may separate.
- Strain sauce through a fine sieve into a heatproof bowl. Stir in chives, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Keep warm by setting bowl in a larger container of hot water.
- Preheat oven on broiler setting. Pat fillets dry, and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute halibut fillets for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned, and just cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet, and cool 5 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together bread crumbs, almonds and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Brush tops of fillets with egg, and spread with almond mixture.
- Broil fillets 1 to 2 minutes, or until browned (watch closely – every broiler has its own personality!). Place fillets on individual plates, and spoon beurre blanc around it.
Recipe supplied by http://allrecipes.com

ARCTIC CHAR WITH BLISTERED CHERRY TOMATOES Farmed char is widely available and has a mild flavor and a great texture. It’s similar to salmon but not quite as rich and fatty. Wild arctic char from the northern seas is available only for a few weeks in late summer, when the ice has melted enough for the local fishermen to reach them. It is a sought-after delicacy, and one that will cost you. If you find fresh, it’s well worth the splurge.