Halibut Fillets With Leeks

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Before chopping, rinse thoroughly between the leek leaves and pat dry. Chop the leeks as finely as possible. There should be about 3½ cups.

2. Step 2

   Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a saucepan and add the leeks. Cook, stirring often from the bottom, about 3 minutes. Add the ⅔ cup of wine and stir. Bring to the boil and cover. Cook 10 minutes. Keep warm.

3. Step 3

   Meanwhile, using the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, grease the bottom of a heavy skillet large enough to hold the fish pieces in one layer without crowding. Sprinkle the bottom of the skillet with shallots and arrange the fish pieces over it. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the remaining ½ cup of wine over the fish. Bring the wine to a boil and cover the skillet closely. Cook 4 minutes or less until the fish just loses its raw look.

4. Step 4

   Transfer the fish pieces to a warm serving platter. Cover closely with foil and keep warm.

5. Step 5

   Cook down briefly the skillet liquid to ½ cup and then pour it into a saucepan. Add the cream. Bring to a boil and cook over moderately high heat about 4 minutes or until reduced to ¾ cup. Set aside 6 tablespoons of this sauce to be added to the linguine, which will accompany this dish.

6. Step 6

   Spoon four equal portions of the cooked leeks onto four individual serving dishes. Top each portion of the leeks with one piece of fish. Spoon all but the reserved 6 tablespoons of sauce over the fish. If serving with linguine, toss pasta with the reserved sauce and 2 tablespoons butter. Serve alongside the fish.