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  1. Wild Alaskan Halibut with Mushrooms and Asparagus
Wild Alaskan Halibut with Mushrooms and Asparagus

Wild Alaskan Halibut with Mushrooms and Asparagus

This recipe features a signature vegetable of spring — asparagus — plus tasty morel mushrooms and hearty, flaky Alaskan halibut. Recipe by Chef Michael Cimarusti, whose accolades include multiple James Beard Award nominations, “Top 50 Restaurants in the United States” by Gourmet magazine, “Best Seafood Restaurant” by Los Angeles magazine and two highly coveted Michelin stars. Chef Cimarusti is dedicated to procuring the finest sustainable seafood — from regional coasts and international waters — and treats those ingredients with uncompromising respect and sophisticated technique. “First and foremost, what guides us here is sustainability,” Cimarusti says. “We use only wild-caught, sustainable products, mostly from American waters, and look to highlight their finest qualities.”

Wild Alaskan Halibut with Mushrooms and Asparagus

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 8 minutes | Total Time: 38 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 4 Vital Choice Alaskan halibut fillets (4 to 6 ounces each), thawed
  • 3 tablespoons Vital Choice organic extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 8 ounces fresh morel mushrooms (Can substitute chanterelle, oyster, shitake or Belton mushrooms)
  • 6 ounces butter, divided
  • 2 medium shallots, minced
  • 1 lemon, halved (for juicing)
  • 12 asparagus spears, trimmed, blanched, cut in 2-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons chives, chopped

Instructions

  1. Rinse the morels thoroughly in cold water, then quarter them lengthwise. Place in a non-reactive saucepan with 4 ounces butter, shallots and a squeeze of lemon. Cover pan and cook slowly over medium-low heat while cooking halibut. Adjust seasonings, to taste, if needed.
  2. In a separate large pan, melt 2 ounces butter over medium heat until it begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in asparagus and cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat; transfer asparagus to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper; keep warm. Wipe pan clean.
  3. Pat halibut dry with paper towels; discard towels. Season with salt and pepper. Warm the pan over medium-high heat; add olive oil. When oil is hot, carefully add halibut. Cook until fish is browned and opaque throughout.
  4. To serve, divide mushrooms among four warmed bowls. Top with halibut, spoon mushroom sauce over. Add asparagus around; sprinkle with chives.
Serves: Serves 4