So I don't do much in the way of gourmet cooking. I like my food to be edible for the entire family, and Things 1, 2 and 3 aren't going to dig lobster and such. However, I really enjoy fish and since I'm always looking for a good fish recipe, I'm willing to try just about anything that's supposed to be good.

So I was given this recipe and made it again for dinner tonight. It was YUMMY, and since it took as long as a fancy gourmet meal, I'm calling it one.

I share this recipe with you with two warnings:
1. It takes a while to prepare, but it worth it. Its not hard, just a little time consuming. If you prep all the ingredients befor eyou start cooking, its a lot easier.
2. If you are watching your weight, resist the urge to bathe in the sauce. Its good enough to do so, but its fattening. I chose to put a small puddle on my plate and dip rather than pour it over the fish.

Almond-Crusted Halibut Crystal Symphony

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1/3 cup heavy cream
10 tablespoons unsalted butter - chilled, cut into tablespoon-size pieces
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
6 (6 ounce) fillets halibut
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
2/3 cup minced blanched almonds
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, lightly beaten

DIRECTIONS
1. Make beurre blanc: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine wine, vinegar, shallots, thyme and bay leaf. Boil until liquid has evaporated. Stir in cream, and boil until liquid is reduced by half; decrease heat to low. Whisk in butter, 1 piece at a time, adding each new piece before previous one has melted completely. Do not allow sauce to simmer, or it may separate.

2. Strain sauce through a fine sieve into a heatproof bowl. Stir in chives, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Keep warm by setting bowl in a larger container of hot water.

3. Preheat oven on broiler setting. Pat fillets dry, and season with salt and pepper.

4. Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute halibut fillets for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned, and just cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet, and cool 5 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together bread crumbs, almonds and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Brush tops of fillets with egg, and spread with almond mixture.

5. Broil fillets 1 to 2 minutes, or until browned (watch closely - every broiler has its own personality!). Place fillets on individual plates, and spoon beurre blanc around it.