Halibut A La Tunisia Recipes

Steps:

• For the white beans: Put the white beans in a container with the 4 cups water and soak overnight. The next day, drain the water and put the white beans, salt, carrot, celery, thyme, bay leaf, onion and 6 cups water in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer and skim any foam that forms on top. Simmer gently so as not to break the beans, until they are soft in the middle, about 2 hours. Take the pot off the heat and let the beans cool in the liquid. Drain, reserving the bean cooking liquid.
• For the fish stock: Put the olive oil, fennel, leek and onion in a 1-gallon stock pot and cook over medium heat to soften without browning, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and lemon juice. While that is going, wash the fish bones in cold water and then add to the pot with the bay leaf and 8 cups cold water. Bring the stock up to a rolling boil, then lower the heat and simmer, skimming off any foam that forms on top, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain the stock and cool in an ice bath. (Makes about 6 cups; leftover fish stock can be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 2 months.)
• For the white bean stew: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over low heat, add the garlic and let it brown slowly. Once it starts smelling of cooked garlic, whisk in the flour so it dissolves into the oil to make a roux. Whisk in the wine and 2 cups of the fish stock until smooth. Increase the heat to medium high, bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce gets too thick, add up to 1 cup of the reserved bean cooking liquid. Add the white beans and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and 2 teaspoons Calabrian chile flakes-add more if you prefer spicy. Add a little lemon zest and juice. Keep the stew warm while you cook the clams and halibut. Just before serving add the parsley to keep it as green and fresh as possible.
• For clams: Put the clams in a pot and with wine to cover. Cover the pot and bring the wine to a boil over high heat, to gently open the clams. As soon as the clams start to open, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate.
• For the fish: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the halibut on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear the fish skin-side down until the first layer of fish starts to turn white, about 3 minutes. Flip, and cook until sides of the filets have turned white and the fish feels firm in the middle when you push down on the tops, another 2 minutes.
• To serve: Stir the parsley into the white bean stew. Divide the stew and clams among 4 bowls and top each with a piece of halibut, skin-side up. Sprinkle with some chopped parsley and serve.

Steps:

• Make the paste: in a small bowl, thoroughly mix all ingredients except halibut fillets.
• Spread the paste evenly on both sides of the halibut fillets. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Grill over direct heat until the halibut just begins to flake when poked with the tip of a knife, about 6 - 8 minutes, turning once midway.
• Remove from grill, drizzle each fillet with a little olive oil and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Season the halibut with the zest of one lemon, 1 tablespoon thyme, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt. Place the potatoes in a roasting pan, cover with foil, and cook 30 to 40 minutes, until they're tender when pierced. (Depending on their size, age, and variety, the cooking time will vary.)
• Light the grill 30 to 40 minutes ahead of time. Take the halibut out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking it, so it comes to room temperature.
• Blanch the haricots verts in heavily salted water 2 to 3 minutes, until they're tender but still al dente. Remove to a baking sheet or platter to cool. Bring the water back to a boil, and carefully lower the eggs into the water. Turn the heat down to a very low simmer, and cook the eggs exactly 9 minutes. Remove the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool completely. Peel the eggs, and cut them in half. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the spinach and olives in a large salad bowl.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 1 minute. Pour in 1/4 cup olive oil, and add the sliced shallots and remaining tablespoon thyme to the pan. Cook 1 minute, until the shallots are just wilted. Add the haricots verts and the potatoes, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly round pepper.
• When the vegetables are hot, toss them into the bowl of spinach and olives. Season with another 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Toss well to dress the spinach and wilt it slightly. Taste for seasoning. Arrange the salad on a large platter. Tuck the eggs among the spinach leaves.
• Meanwhile, when the coals are broken down, red, and glowing, brush the halibut with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the fish on the grill, and cook 2 minutes. Give the fish a quarter-turn, and cook a minute or two more. Turn over, and cook until it's just barely cooked through; peek inside to check for doneness. When it's done, the halibut will begin to flake and separate a little, and the center will still be slightly translucent. Remember, the fish will continue to cook a little more once you take it off the grill. Arrange the fish on top of the salad.
• Return the vegetable pan to the stove, and heat over medium-high. Add the butter, and cook a few minutes, until it starts to brown and smells nutty. Add the anchovy, cherry tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and a few grindings of black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, shaking the pan often, until the tomatoes release some of their juice. Squeeze some lemon juice into the butter, and taste for balance and seasoning. Stir in the basil and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Spoon the sauce over the fish and around the salad.
• Note
• Season the fish with lemon and herbs early in the day. You can roast the fingerlings, blanch the haricots verts, clean the spinach, cut the cherry tomatoes, clean the anchovies, and cook the eggs ahead of time.

Steps:

• Place the chickpeas in a saucepan and cover with water.
• Boil until soft, about 30 minutes, then stir in the harissa, garlic, cumin, and salt.
• Stir well, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the lemon juice and olive oil.
• Serve with more lemon juice, salt, and ground cumin to taste.
• Serve with any combination and any amount of optional garnishes, including more harissa and olive oil.