This simple halibut recipe gets poached then topped with a tender tomato and pea white wine sauce. Poached halibut is an easy, elegant, delicious Valentine's Day dinner...or any day of the year weeknight dinner!
Yesterday marked the beginning of Lent, a four-week period in which people who take part in Lent are only supposed to eat fish or vegetarian meals on Fridays, and especially on Good Friday, which marks the end of Lent on March 25th.
Recently, I shared a preview of the Seattle Wine and Food Experience, and mentioned the Piper-Hiedsieck Brut that pairs well with a Poached Halibut with Tomato Wine Sauce dish. Well, today is the day you get that recipe!
With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought it would be great to create a recipe that was elegant and romantic enough to serve at Valentine's Day, and also a great fish option to serve on any Friday during Lent.
Of course, this dinner recipe is also excellent for any other night of the week as well!
Simple Halibut Recipe for Valentine's Day Dinner
This recipe calls for wild Alaskan halibut. You can, however, easily substitute any other similar white fish, such as cod or rockfish.
Halibut is a naturally lean fish that's a great source of potassium and magnesium, and generally low in calories, fat, and sodium. I love halibut's versatility: you can sauté, sear, poach, grill, steam, or roast halibut and it retains a sweet, delicate flavor.
How to Make Poached Halibut
The fish is gently sautéed and then poached. Finish the dish with a white wine sauce with tomatoes, peas, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice.
The result is a vibrant, beautiful, absolutely mouthwatering seafood dish. This simple halibut recipe is elegant enough to serve at a romantic Valentine's Day dinner date at home. Yet, it's easy enough to come together for any weeknight dinner.
Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas
Serve this Halibut with Wine Sauce with a side of cucumber salad and quinoa. You could also serve it with a side of potatoes.
Wine Pairings for Halibut
This simple halibut recipe pairs beautifully with sparkling wine.
Or, pair it with a bright, acidic white wine, like a Pinot Gris. I love this Rainstorm Pinot Gris from Oregon.
Poached Halibut with Wine Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 6-8 ounce Alaskan Halibut fillets skin on or off (can substitute cod, rockfish, or other white fish)
- ½ cup seafood stock
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 minced teaspoon shallots
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon parsley
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Lightly salt and pepper both sides of each fillet.
- Once the butter is just melted, add the fillets and cook for about one minute on each side, just until the fish has a little color.
- Add the garlic, shallots, seafood stock, white wine. Bring liquid to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.
- Poach the fish for 8-10 minutes until the fish is opaque and slightly flaky, but not dry.
- Remove fish and set aside on a plate to rest.
- Add the peas and tomatoes to the skillet and return the heat to medium-high. Bring to a low boil, add lemon juice, and cook until the peas and tomatoes are slightly soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- Plate the fish, then gently spoon peas and tomatoes broth over each fish.
- Garnish with parsley and squeeze additional lemon juice over each fillet, as desired.
- Add salt and pepper as needed.
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Adriana Martin says
No doubt this is healthy, elegant and perfect meal for a romantic dinner for two yummy =)
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
This looks amazing, I know my family would LOVE it!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Whoa, whoa, this looks soooo good! I am always a little scared to cook seafood but this looks like a meal I could handle (and hopefully not overcook!)
Candy says
We use to catch fresh halibut when we lived in Alaska. Love your recipe.
Chrissa - Physical KItchness says
This looks restaurant-quality!! Amazing! I need some new fish recipes for lent. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Rhiannon says
This is quite the recipe! I've never made halibut before (I'm picky about fish in general), but I think you've put enough good ingredients together that I'd be able to tolerate what I dislike about halibut. Going to try it!
Maris (In Good Taste) says
What a beautiful meal! I love halibut and the wine sauce sounds so simple
Elaine says
I love that you poached this! It looks like it keeps its moisture well with that method...nothing worse than a over cooked dried out piece of fish! Thanks for sharing!
lauren says
this looks amazing... so bright and fresh! I dont use halibut often, I need to buy some! Pinning! :)
Pech says
Lovely plating - and extra bonus with the chocolates all round the plate :D
Catherine says
I'm a big fan of serving fish at Valentine's Day. It's enough to be a little fancy, but not so heavy as a steak or cheese-based dish. Because we all know there's nothing romantic about feeling overfull and bloated!
Lauren Dillard says
This looks sooooo good! We are mostly plant-based but occasionally eat seafood. I have pinned this recipe. Great photos!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
I love halibut - This recipe looks perfect for Valentine's Day, or my dinner tonight. Yum!
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
This looks delicious! Night and light, perfect for Valentine's Day :)
I'm rather new to poaching fish, I've had... mixed results, we'll say. But when I've done it correctly, it's been amazing!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
I love halibut! It's one of my favorite seafood proteins to work with!
Joanie @ Zagleft says
What a beautiful dish. I love halibut, this looks like a lovely dinner for Valentine's Day.
Erin says
What a great looking dinner. I was originally thinking the peas were capers and was like "meh, I just don't like capers but that rich wine sauce looks so good" in that saucepan shot, then I realized they were in fact peas and now I'm 100% on board! And yes, I totally love Theo Chocolate too!
Rachel Lloyd says
I'm a big fan of halibut, but I don't cook it enough. This has inspired me to try!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Glad to hear it, Rachel! Thanks!
Amber says
Okay, I'm seriously salivating over here. PS. you're pics look amazing. :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Oh thanks so much, Amber!
Angie says
Yum, that sounds so good! I love a great fish recipe.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Angie!
Melinda says
What a beautiful dish! I'm not a huge fish person, but I do like halibut. I may try this one soon!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Melinda! Halibut is one fish that I feel like is more palatable to those who may not eat fish as much.