Description
This Baked Fish with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives recipe offers a delightful blend of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors. The fish is seasoned and lightly seared for a charred crust before baking with a vibrant mix of cherry tomatoes, olives, herbs, and garlic, resulting in a wholesome and aromatic dish perfect for a quick yet elegant meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
To Season the Fish
- 1 Fish Fillet
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (Old Bay or Creole seasoning works too)
- 1/2 teaspoon Chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Fish seasoning (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 tablespoons Cooking oil
- 3 Garlic cloves (minced or diced)
For the Tomatoes and Olives
- 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup Olives
- 2 sprigs Parsley (fresh)
- 2 sprigs Thyme (fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon of the mixed seasoning from above
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 3 tablespoons Salted butter
- Pinch of Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ to prepare for baking the fish and tomato mixture.
- Mix fish seasoning: In a small bowl, combine paprika, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, chili flakes, fish seasoning (optional), salt, black pepper, cooking oil, and minced garlic. Set aside 1 teaspoon of this mixture for the tomatoes.
- Season the fish: Rub the fish fillet evenly on both sides with the prepared seasoning mixture.
- Sear the fish: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and sear the fish for about 1 minute on each side until it develops a charred look but remains undercooked inside. Remove the fish and set aside.
- Sauté tomatoes and olives: In the same pan (over medium heat), add cherry tomatoes, olives, parsley, thyme, the reserved 1 teaspoon of seasoning, water, salt, and pepper. Stir continuously and cook for about 3 minutes until well combined and slightly softened.
- Assemble and bake: Place the seared fish in the center of the pan with the tomato mixture around it. Add the salted butter on top of the fish. Ensure the pan is oven-safe; if not, transfer everything to a baking sheet or ovenproof dish.
- Bake to finish cooking: Bake at 400℉ for 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately, pairing it with your favorite side dish.
Notes
- Use a pan that is oven-safe to avoid transferring to another dish before baking.
- Searing the fish adds flavor but keep it undercooked before baking to avoid dryness.
- You can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs if needed, adjusting quantities accordingly.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with a light salad, steamed vegetables, or rice for a complete meal.
