Real Vermont Cooking

INGREDIENTS 6 Red Snapper Fillets (8 oz.) 1/2 Pound Mushrooms sliced 1 Tbls. Minced Shallots 1 Cup Half-and- Half 3 Tbls. Butter 1/4 Cup Pernod 2 Cups Fish Stock 1/2 Stick Butter cold sliced Salt and Pepper to Taste 1/2 Cup White Wine Directions: In large heavy skillet cook mushrooms and shallots in butter over moderate heat, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add fish stock and wine and bring liquid to simmer. Add fish fillets and poach 3 minutes on each side, until they just flake when tested with a fork. Transfer fish and mushrooms with slotted spatula to heated platter. Over high heat, reduce poaching liquid by two thirds, add half- and- half, and again reduce by half. Add Pernod and bits of cold butter, 1 piece at a time, whisking will after each addition and adding next piece before preceding one is completely melted. Season sauce with salt and white pepper and pour over fish.