Pan-Seared Halibut with Braised Swiss Chard

foodandwine.com
serves 4
Ingredients

• 1/4 pound thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/4 pounds Swiss chard—stems cut into 3/4-inch pieces, leaves chopped
• 3 small shallots—2 halved and thinly sliced, 1 minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/3 cup water
• Kosher salt
• Ground pepper
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• 2 teaspoons thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• Four 5- to 6-ounce halibut fillets, cut 3/4 inch thick
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

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Preparation​

• Step 1In a large, deep skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until golden; using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet. Add the chard stems, sliced shallots and garlic and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until crisp-tender, 4 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, 3 minutes. Add the chard leaves in handfuls, letting each batch wilt slightly before adding more. Add the water, cover and braise over moderately low heat until the chard is tender, 5 minutes. Stir in the bacon, season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
  
• Step 2In a small skillet, cook the butter and pine nuts over moderately high heat, stirring, until the milk solids are golden, 5 minutes. Stir in the minced shallot and thyme and cook for 30 seconds. Whisk in the lemon zest and juice, then season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
  
• Step 3Season the fish with salt and pepper. In a nonstick skillet, heat the oil. Add the fish and cook over moderately high heat, turning once, until golden and just white throughout, 6 minutes. Transfer the chard to plates and set the fish on top. Spoon the brown butter dressing over the fish and serve.
  

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