Description
Ina Garten’s grilled halibut creates a Mediterranean-inspired seafood masterpiece with fresh herbs and lemon zest. Delicate fish fillets pair perfectly with herb-infused olive oil, offering coastal elegance on your dinner plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 halibut fillets (6–7 oz/170–200 g each), skinless, about 1 inch thick
- 2 cups (480 ml) finely chopped onions
- 2 cups (480 ml) chopped fennel
- 2 (28 oz/794 g) cans Italian plum tomatoes, drained
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) dry white wine
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chicken stock or low-sodium broth
- ¼ cup (40 g) capers, drained and coarsely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) coarsely chopped basil, plus small leaves for garnish
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauce Foundation: Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and fennel until softened and translucent, approximately 10 minutes.
- Aromatic Infusion: Add minced garlic and stir briefly, allowing flavors to develop without burning.
- Tomato Integration: Introduce plum tomatoes, crushing them gently. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer until liquid reduces substantially, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Flavor Layering: Pour in white wine and chicken stock. Fold in capers and continue simmering to harmonize flavors for an additional 10 minutes.
- Sauce Refinement: Incorporate fresh basil and butter, creating a rich, herbaceous finish. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Halibut Preparation: Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush halibut fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grilling Technique: Cook halibut on preheated grill, approximately 4 minutes per side until fish becomes opaque and flakes easily. Transfer fillets into prepared tomato basil sauce, allowing brief flavor absorption. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
- Prevent Burning Garlic: Stir garlic quickly and watch carefully to avoid bitter, scorched flavor that can ruin the entire sauce.
- Wine and Stock Balance: Choose a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to complement the tomato sauce’s acidity and enhance overall depth.
- Grill Temperature Control: Medium-high heat ensures perfect halibut sear without drying out the delicate fish, creating a golden exterior and moist interior.
- Herb Freshness Matters: Use freshly chopped basil just before serving to maintain vibrant color, intense aroma, and maximum flavor impact in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg