Steamed halibut packages (1009)
Leigh Beisch
Total Time 1 hr

Because halibut is the star of this recipe, make sure that you use the freshest fish available. Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour. Notes: You’ll need two bunches of chard to get enough large leaves to wrap the fish, and a two-tiered bamboo steamer to steam it. It’s essential that the lemons be sliced paper thin–a mandoline or very sharp knife works well.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add 1 tbsp. salt. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Select the 12 largest chard leaves (save remaining chard for another use) and cook in boiling water 1 minute. With tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer chard to ice water.

Step 2
2

Drain chard and spread leaves out on clean, dry kitchen towels.

Step 3
3

Arrange one large leaf on your workspace horizontally and arrange a second leaf on top of and perpendicular to the first. Sprinkle some of the parsley and thyme down center of leaves, then top with 1 1/2 tsp. butter. Generously season halibut with salt and pepper and set 1 fillet on butter and herbs. Arrange 4 lemon slices over top of fillet. Fold chard leaves around fish to enclose. Place packet seam side down in a steamer basket large enough to accommodate all six packets (or use a two-tiered bamboo steamer). Repeat with remaining 5 fillets.

Step 4
4

Fill a large, high-sided frying pan or a wok with enough water to come 3/4 in. up sides and bring water to a boil. Add steamer basket and cover. Steam fish until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Very carefully cut into one packet to check fish for doneness.

Step 5
5

While fish is steaming, make beurre blanc: Put shallot and lemon juice in a small nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Cook until liquid is reduced to 1 tbsp. Remove from heat and whisk in remaining 5 tbsp. butter, 1 tbsp. at a time, until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6
6

Serve fish packets immediately, topped with beurre blanc.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Ingredients

  About 2 tbsp. salt
 2 bunches Swiss chard, stems removed and discarded
 1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
 2 tablespoons chopped thyme
 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
 6 halibut fillets (each 6 to 8 oz. and about 1 in. thick)
  Freshly ground black pepper
 2 lemons, sliced paper thin
 2 tablespoons minced shallot
 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions

Step 1
1

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add 1 tbsp. salt. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Select the 12 largest chard leaves (save remaining chard for another use) and cook in boiling water 1 minute. With tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer chard to ice water.

Step 2
2

Drain chard and spread leaves out on clean, dry kitchen towels.

Step 3
3

Arrange one large leaf on your workspace horizontally and arrange a second leaf on top of and perpendicular to the first. Sprinkle some of the parsley and thyme down center of leaves, then top with 1 1/2 tsp. butter. Generously season halibut with salt and pepper and set 1 fillet on butter and herbs. Arrange 4 lemon slices over top of fillet. Fold chard leaves around fish to enclose. Place packet seam side down in a steamer basket large enough to accommodate all six packets (or use a two-tiered bamboo steamer). Repeat with remaining 5 fillets.

Step 4
4

Fill a large, high-sided frying pan or a wok with enough water to come 3/4 in. up sides and bring water to a boil. Add steamer basket and cover. Steam fish until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Very carefully cut into one packet to check fish for doneness.

Step 5
5

While fish is steaming, make beurre blanc: Put shallot and lemon juice in a small nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Cook until liquid is reduced to 1 tbsp. Remove from heat and whisk in remaining 5 tbsp. butter, 1 tbsp. at a time, until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6
6

Serve fish packets immediately, topped with beurre blanc.

Step 7
7

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Steamed Halibut Packages

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