Halibut Au Gratin

Julia Moffitt

My kids won't eat fish so I prepare this dish for my dinner group - it's always a big hit!

4 (6-8 oz.) halibut fillets
Butter
Lemon juice
Salt and pepper
4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1 1/4 cup half and half
2 Tbsp. butter
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
Parmesan cheese (freshly grated if possible)

Butter a baking dish that will hold fillets in a single layer. Place fillets in dish and sprinkle with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in saucepan, add flour and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly. Add half and half; whisk until smooth and thick. Season cream sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in frying pan, add bread crumbs and stir over moderate heat until crumbs take on a light tan color. Remove crumbs from the heat, measure, and add an equal amount of Parmesan cheese. Spoon the cream sauce down the center of each fillet. Do not spread the mixture; top the sauce with the bread crumb mixture and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until fish tests done.