Roasted Halibut with Braised Cannellini Beans

To make beans, heat ½ cup olive oil in a medium stockpot over medium heat. Add garlic, shallot and chili flakes and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes. Add vinegar and turn heat to high. Reduce vinegar by half, then add 1 cup Chardonnay, again reducing by half. Add stock and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.

Turn heat to medium and add beans. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until cooking liquid thickens slightly, then mix in kale, thyme, olives, capers, butter and juice of the lemon.

The beans should have a fair amount of liquid, like a thick stew; if necessary, add a little stock to loosen, or cook further to thicken. Add salt, if needed. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.

To cook halibut, heat oven to 300°F. Add remaining olive oil and wine to a large nonstick sauté pan (almost all are oven-safe up to at least 350°F) and place in oven for 10 minutes. Pat halibut dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Add to pan and cook for at least 10 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork (cooking time will depend on thickness of fillet).

Place halibut atop the bean stew in shallow bowls. Serves 4.

Freeman 2019 Ryo-Fu Chardonnay (Green Valley)

“California Chardonnay shows richness and beautiful fruit, with a spine of acidity and minerality that keeps them light on their feet and refreshing on the palate—an ideal match for this dish,” says Douglas Faraco, wine director at Montage Healdsburg. “When pairing with a meatier fish such as halibut, its acidity cuts the fish and supports the creamy quality of the cannellini beans.

As California winemaking and grape growing evolves and develops a deeper heritage, vintners see the opportunity to refine the California ‘style’ of Chardonnay to reflect California terroir, while maintaining the winemaker’s thumbprint. This bottle is a perfect example.”