Pan-Roasted Halibut with Jalapeño Vinaigrette

• Recipe by Tom Douglas

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2. 2 tablespoons very finely chopped red onion
3. Kosher salt
4. 1 tablespoon honey
5. 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
6. 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
7. 1/2 teaspoon very finely chopped garlic
8. 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
9. 1 medium jalapeño
10. Freshly ground pepper
11. Six 5- to 6-ounce halibut fillets
12. Avocado wedges or watercress, for serving

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and onion with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Let stand for 10 minutes, then whisk in the honey, cilantro, mustard, garlic and 1/4 cup of the olive oil. 
2. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over high heat until just smoking. Add the jalapeño and cook, turning, until charred and blistered on all sides, about 2 minutes; let cool slightly. Slip off the charred skin. Discard the stem and cut the jalapeño in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds and finely chop the jalapeño. Stir the jalapeño into the vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. 
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil over moderately high heat. Season the halibut fillets with salt and pepper and cook, turning once, until they are opaque throughout, about 8 minutes. Transfer the halibut to a platter. Whisk the vinaigrette, spoon it over the fish and serve with avocado wedges or watercress.