Baked Halibut with Warm Sherry Onion Vinaigrette

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In a heavy skillet cook onion, 1 1/2 tablespoons shallot, and garlic in butter with salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until onion is pale golden, about 10 minutes.

   Step 2

   Stir in vinegar and cook, covered 5 minutes. Stir in tomato and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and 1/4 cup oil and cook, uncovered, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in parsley and remaining 1/4 cup oil and keep vinaigrette warm.

   Step 3

   Preheat oven to 425°F. and butter a baking dish just large enough to hold fillets in one layer.

   Step 4

   Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons shallot in baking dish and in it arrange fillets, seasoned with salt and pepper. Add thyme sprig, wine, and stock or clam juice and cover fillets with a buttered piece of wax paper. Bake fish in middle of oven 10 to 15 minutes (depending upon thickness of fillets), or until just cooked through.

   Step 5

   Transfer fillets to a large plate and keep warm. Pour cooking liquid through a fine sieve set over skillet of vinaigrette. Cook vinaigrette over moderate heat, stirring, until it is warm and cooking liquid is incorporated.

   Step 6

   Serve fish, garnished with additional thyme sprigs, with warm vinaigrette.