Grilled Halibut with Tomato and Caper Sauce

• Recipe by Ina Garten

This is a simple dish that I make for summer parties. The sauce can be made well in advance, and the fish grilled at the last minute. The recipe is also delicious served at room temperature.

Ingredients

1. 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for brushing
2. 2 cups finely chopped onions
3. 2 cups chopped fennel
4. 2 garlic cloves, minced
5. Two 28-ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes, drained
6. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
7. 1/4 cup dry white wine
8. 1/4 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
9. 1/4 cup capers, drained and coarsely chopped
10. 1 cup coarsely chopped basil, plus small leaves for garnish
11. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12. 8 skinless halibut fillets (6 to 7 ounces each), about 1 inch thick

Directions

1. In a large deep skillet, heat 1/3 cup of olive oil. Add the onions and fennel and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add the tomatoes to the skillet and break them up with a fork. Season with salt and pepper and cook over low heat until most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the wine, stock and capers and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir the chopped basil and the butter into the sauce.
3. Light a grill. Brush the halibut fillets with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Grill over high heat until just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Spoon the sauce onto a large deep platter, set the fillets on the sauce and garnish with basil leaves. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Make Ahead

The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving.