Butter Basted Halibut with Lemon Braised Baby Vegetables

Recipe by From a Chef's Kitchen

Butter-Basted Halibut with Lemon-Braised Baby Vegetables is perfect for a spring dinner for two.... Or just for the halibut!

Ingredients

• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup water
• 1 large lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons) plus lemon slices for garnish
• 2 scallions, white and light green part only
• 8 baby carrots
• 6 baby red potatoes (quartered)
• 10 baby zucchini
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1 handful Italian parsley leaves (about 1/2 cup loosely packed) (rough chopped)
• ½ cup peas, fresh or thawed if frozen
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 (8-ounce) halibut fillets (skin removed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil ((divided))
• 3 tablespoons butter (softened)

Method

1. Combine broth and water in a shallow saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Add lemon juice, scallion and carrots. Reduce heat to low, cover slightly and cook carrots 8 to 10 minutes or until you can just barely pierce the carrots.
3. Add potatoes, cover slightly and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender. Add zucchini and garlic. Cover slightly and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Stir in thyme, parsley and peas. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Keep warm.
4. Generously season halibut on both sides with salt and black pepper.
5. Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Brown the halibut fillets for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
7. Add the butter to the pan and when the butter melts, tilt the skillet toward you to pool the butter.
8. With a large soup spoon, begin basting the fish constantly with the bubbling butter for 5 to 6 minutes, returning the pan to a level position over the heat several times to keep the pan evenly hot.
9. Let rest for 1 to 2 minutes for carry-over cooking to finish cooking the fish. The fish is cooked through when firm to the touch and easily flakes with a fork. (Exceptionally thick pieces may need a bit of time in a 400-degree oven.)
10. Serve over braised vegetables and drizzle with butter from pan if desired.

View the recipe instructions at From a Chef's Kitchen