OIL-POACHED HALIBUT WITH TOMATOES AND FENNEL

Oil-Poached Halibut with Tomatoes and Fennel image

Provided by Shelley Wiseman

Yield Makes 8 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
3 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed, reserving some fronds for garnish, and bulbs (including core) cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 1/2 pound small (1 1/2- to 2-inch) tomatoes (preferably Campari), halved
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon sugar
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
3 (3- by 1-inch) strips orange zest
1 quart extra-virgin olive oil
1 (2 1/2-pound) piece skinless halibut fillet (about 1 1/2 inches thick)
Equipment:
a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot (at least 4 inches deep)

Steps:

Simmer garlic, fennel bulbs, tomatoes, fennel seeds, sugar, bay leaf, zest, and 1 teaspoon salt in oil, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but still intact, 30 to 40 minutes.
While vegetables simmer, rub fish with 1 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and let stand 10 to 20 minutes.
Transfer vegetables to a bowl with a slotted spoon, then submerge fish in oil (if necessary, to lift level of oil, return vegetables to pot) and cover surface of oil with parchment paper. Cook fish over medium heat (without simmering) 5 minutes and remove from heat. Let fish cook from residual heat (still covered with parchment) until just cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes.
Carefully transfer fish to a platter using 2 metal spatulas. Discard bay leaf. Surround with vegetables. Drizzle with some of oil and sprinkle with chopped fronds. Serve warm or at room temperature.