Active Time

　　20 min

　　Total Time

　　30 min

　　Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 30 min

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　4 (1 1/4-inch-thick) pieces halibut fillet (6 oz each), skinned

　　3 tablespoons olive oil

　　1 cup chopped shallot (6 oz)

　　1/2 cup pecans (2 oz), chopped

　　1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter

　　1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest

　　2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

　　Accompaniment: lemon wedges

　　

Step 1

Pat halibut dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté fish, turning once, until golden and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to plates and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.

　　

Step 2

Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and cook shallot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add pecans and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until fragrant and a shade darker, about 3 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted.

　　

Step 3

Remove skillet from heat and stir in zest, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle pecan shallot topping over fish.