Halibut

Halibut Recipe

* 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Preheat oven on broiler setting. Pat fillets dry, and season with salt and pepper.
4. 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.
5. Broil fillets 1 to 2 minutes, or until browned (WATCH IT- they burn quickly!) Place fillets on individual plates, and spoon beurre blanc around it.