Roasted Halibut with Saffron-Fennel Butter
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 4 servings
- Calories
- 507
- Total Fat
- 33
- Saturated Fat
- 16
- Carbohydrates
- 9
- Dietary Fiber
- 3
- Sugar
- 4
- Protein
- 44
- Cholesterol
- 172
- Sodium
- 953
- Total: 40 min
- Prep: 5 min
- Cook: 35 min
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon lightly crumbled saffron threads
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 small bulb fennel, trimmed, cored and thinly sliced, plus fennel fronds for topping
1 clove garlic, finely grated
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups yellow cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
4 8-ounce center-cut halibut fillets (skin-on)
Directions
- Combine 1 tablespoon butter and the saffron in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until the butter melts, about 1 minute. Let cool 5 minutes. Place the remaining butter and the fennel seeds in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the melted saffron butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and continue pulsing until the butter is bright yellow. Transfer to a piece of plastic wrap and form into a 4-inch log; freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. (The saffron butter will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.)
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the sliced fennel, garlic, the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons water in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons water and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover with foil and bake until the fennel is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Toss the tomatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the tomatoes over the fennel. Set the halibut on top of the vegetables; drizzle with the juice of the remaining 1/2 lemon and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake, uncovered, until the halibut is firm and no longer translucent, about 12 minutes; remove from the oven and top each piece with a thin slice of saffron butter. Return the halibut to the oven and bake until the butter just begins to melt, about 2 more minutes. Serve with fennel fronds.