Alaskan Halibut with Herbed Baby Carrots and Snap Pea Sauce
by Bruce Sherman
springdinnereco-friendlysustainable seafood
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
produce
- 2 bunchesbaby carrots
- 2 cupssugar snap peas
- 1 smallshallot(thinly sliced)
- 12-15mint leaves(chopped)
- 1 tbspchives(minced)
- 1 tbspflat-leaf parsley(minced)
protein
- 4 6-ounceAlaskan halibut filets(skinless)
dairy
- 4 tbspunsalted butter(divided)
pantry staple
- 3 tbspextra-virgin olive oil(divided)
- 4 tbspvegetable stock(divided)
- salt
- white pepper(freshly ground)
other
- 1/4 cupice water
Instructions
- Prepare an ice bath. In a pot of boiling salted water, blanch the baby carrots for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender, then transfer to the ice bath. When cool, transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl and reserve. Return the water to a boil and add the sugar snap peas. Blanch for 2½ minutes, then transfer to the ice bath. When cool, transfer to another bowl and reserve.
- In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the shallot, season with salt and pepper and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a blender along with the mint, ice water and snap peas. Blend until very smooth and pass through a fine mesh sieve.
- In a small saucepan, bring 2 tablespoons of stock to a boil. Add the pea puree and bring to a simmer. Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat. In a small skillet, combine the carrots and remaining 2 tablespoons of stock and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the chives and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste and keep warm over low heat.
- In a large, nonstick pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Pat the halibut filets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Cook the fish until golden brown on one side, about 5 minutes, then turn over and cook until opaque throughout, about 2 minutes longer.
- To serve, divide the carrots among 4 plates and top with the fish. Spoon the warm pea sauce around the carrots and serve immediately.