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Cranberry Poached Halibut

Serves 4

Cranberry poached halibut

Meaty halibut is gently cooked in a port-cranberry poaching sauce, with hazelnuts bringing a slight bitterness to the dish. Cod or haddock can serve as stand-ins for halibut.

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp (10 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1 tsp (10 mL) fennel seeds
  • 3/4 cup (180 mL) port
  • 2 cups (500 mL) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 Tbsp (15 mL) honey
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon zest
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) dried red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
  • 4 - 5 to 6 oz (142 to 170 g) pieces halibut
  • 1/3 cup (80 mL) roughly chopped hazelnuts
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped parsley

Directions

01
In large skillet, heat oil. Add shallot, garlic, and fennel seeds; heat 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in port and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) water, cranberries, honey, thyme, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and salt to skillet. Return to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 10 minutes.
02
Carefully place halibut in skillet with sauce, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) between pieces of fish. Return to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently, with skillet partially covered, for 3 minutes. Carefully flip halibut and continue cooking at a slight simmer until fish is heated to internal temperature of 145 F (63 C), or has turned opaque throughout flesh.
03
Remove fish from skillet and place in shallow serving bowls. Boil cranberry sauce over medium-high heat, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by about half.
04
Add cranberry sauce to bowls with halibut and garnish with hazelnuts and parsley.