Food & Cooking Recipes Ingredients Seafood Recipes Oil-Poached Halibut With Fennel, Tomatoes, and Mashed Potatoes Be the first to rate & review! By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 21, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Ryan Liebe Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 55 mins Servings: 4 Poaching in olive oil gives fish a buttery texture. We flavor the oil with fennel, cherry tomatoes, and olives and use some of the poaching oil to finish the mashed potatoes that the fish and vegetables are served over. Ingredients 1 ¼ pounds skin-on halibut fillet, cut into 4 pieces (5 ounces each) Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Extra-virgin olive oil, for poaching 2 pounds russet potatoes (3 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 head fennel, bulb cored and cut into ½-inch-thick wedges, fronds reserved for serving 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (8 ounces) 1 cup pitted mixed olives 4 small rosemary sprigs ¾ cup whole milk, warmed Directions Generously season fish with salt. Coat the bottom of a 3-to-4-quart saucepan or small pot with oil, then nestle fish pieces in, skin-sides down. Add just enough oil to fully submerge fish (about1 cup); attach a deep-fry thermometer to pan. Heat over medium until oil reaches 150 degrees. Reduce heat to low to maintain temperature (remove pan from heat briefly if it climbs above 150 degrees). Cook until fish turns opaque and is just cooked through, 8 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove with a fish spatula or slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drip back into pot; transfer to a plate, skin-sides up, and loosely.cover with foil to keep warm. While the fish is cooking; in a small pot, combine potatoes, 1 tablespoon salt, and enough water to submerge potatoes by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium; simmer potatoes until tender and easily pierced with the tip of a knife., 10-12 minutes. Drain; press potatoes through a ricer back into pot (or, for a chunkier potatoes, use a potato masher). Cover to keep warm. Add fennel wedges, tomatoes, olives, and rosemary to pan, adding more oil to fully submerge ifnecessary. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until oil temperature reaches 210 degrees. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain temperature and continue cooking until fennel is tender and easily pierced with the tip of a knife, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove vegetable mixture with a slotted spoon,reserving oil for potatoes. Add milk and 1/4 cup reserved oil to potatoes, stirring until smooth. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more oil. Remove skin from fish and serve over potatoes, with vegetable mixture and a drizzle of poaching oil. Cook's Notes The dish can also be served with a sauce such as Gingery Tomato-Basil Sauce or Red-Wine Vinaigrette with Herbs and Egg or Miso Aioli.The finished potatoes can also be reheated in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, or in the microwave. Cook's Notes The finished potatoes can also be reheated in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, or in the microwave. Rate it Print