Recipes

Seared Halibut with Artichokes à la Barigoule

Wine-braised artichokes and carrots—a classic vegetable dish from Provence—are a simple and soothing pairing for crispy white fish.

  • Cook

    1 hour 10 minutes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY FATIMA KHAWAJA

By Jill Mathias


Updated on March 29, 2021

This subtle, French-inspired fish recipe from chef Jill Mathias of Charleston’s Chez Nous is all about marrying the delicate flavors of lemon, artichoke, and seafood. Like daffodil buds, those first heralds of spring which remind us warmer weather is on the horizon, this elegant and brothy dish is simple and comforting, while still celebrating those first fresh and delicate flavors of the season.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium lemons, divided
  • 6 globe artichokes (4½ lb.), ends trimmed
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 14 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 medium yellow onions (14 oz.), thinly sliced
  • 3 medium carrots (6 oz.), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 5 medium garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thinly
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 12 cups dry white wine
  • 1 bouquet garni* (may include black peppercorns, parsley, thyme, and bay leaf)
  • 6 oil-packed anchovy fillets, finely chopped
  • 4 5-oz. Halibut filets
  • 3 tbsp. canola oil
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • Coarsely chopped parsley, for garnish
  • Flaky sea salt, for finishing

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 2

Clean the artichokes: Fill a large bowl with cold water, then halve, squeeze, and drop two of the lemons into the water. Peel away and discard the outer artichoke leaves until you reach the tender, pale green leaves. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the stem, removing any small tough leaves that remain. Using a chef’s knife, remove the top 2–3 inches of the artichoke, then use a spoon to scoop out the fibrous inner “choke.” Cut the artichoke hearts into quarters, and drop them in the lemon water while you continue cleaning the remaining artichokes.

Step 3

Drain the artichoke pieces, and season them lightly with salt and pepper. To a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat, add ¼ cup olive oil. When the oil is just beginning to shimmer, add the artichoke hearts to the skillet, cut side down, and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned all over, 5–8 minutes. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the artichokes to a heatproof plate and set aside. Add the onions, carrots, and garlic to the skillet, lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables just begin to soften, 10–12 minutes. Remove the lid, return the reserved artichoke hearts to the skillet, then add the stock, wine, and the bouquet garni. Season lightly with salt, bring to a simmer, and cook until the vegetables are just tender when pierced with a knife, 35–40 minutes. Add the anchovy and continue cooking 5 minutes more. Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper, remove from the heat, cover, and keep warm while you cook the fish.

Step 4

Use paper towels to pat the halibut filets dry, then season lightly with salt and pepper. To a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the canola oil. When the oil is shimmering and beginning to smoke, add the fish.Turn the heat to medium and cook without disturbing until the halibut begins brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the fish is just barely opaque, 4–6 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place over medium heat. Add the butter to the pan to melt and, using a spoon, quickly baste the fish with the buttery cooking juices. Use an offset spatula to flip the fish so the browned side faces up. Squeeze the remaining lemon halves over the fish.

Step 5

Distribute the reserved vegetables and their cooking liquid among 4 wide bowls. Top each with a piece of halibut and drizzle with additional olive oil. Garnish with parsley and flaky sea salt and serve hot.

*For more on how to assemble a bouquet garni, see our recipe here.

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