~ "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." ~ "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" ~ "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." ~ "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."~

Monday, January 3, 2011

Baked Fish with Warm Tomato Compote

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Baked Fish with Warm Tomato Compote...I thought to share a recipe of a meal that I love to cook when I am pressed for time and want something on the lighter side. It's quick, delicious and quite healthy. You really don't need a ton of ingredients to make something taste good and healthy. I think this meal comes together in about 30 minutes(+/-) and can be quite impressive even for dinner guests. I love to use my toaster oven when baking the fish...for some reason it just gives the fish an incredible color, not to mention that I don't have to heat up the whole oven. I don't even pre-heat the toaster oven( whereas I would if using the regular big oven). I just love to saute cherry or grape tomatoes for a quick side dish. It's healthy as well as tasty. Any type of fish will work, so feel free to use your favorite. The tomato compote can be adapted to your preference, feel free to saute some bell pepper, or skip the onion and add some shallots or even leeks. It's fun to change the herbs from time to time...to vary it up a bit. A simple dish with lots of flavor. Hope you enjoy...
Tip: If you don't have fish on hand, try substituting the fish with chicken breast. If you want to make the tomato compote "greek style", try adding some kalamata olives and finishing it off heat with some feta cheese.

You will need:

Baked Fish:
2 fish fillets
drizzle(or two) of olive oil
1 large garlic, grated
salt and pepper, to taste
chile flakes, optional
squeeze of lemon juice, optional

Grape Tomato Compote:
1 TBS olive oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
8 oz grape tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of sugar
1 TBS chopped fresh basil( I used 1-2 tsps dried basil)
*you can easily add some chopped bell pepper with the onion and finish it off with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar/lime or lemon juice. Feel free to change the herbs... instead of basil, use some parsley or even some cilantro.
**instead of onion, add some chopped shallots or even leeks

Directions:

Bake fish:
1. Quickly rinse the fish fillet, pat dry and season with salt, pepper, chile flakes, and grated garlic....making sure to season both sides of the fish.
2. Drizzle a bit of olive oil and spread it on both sides. Let it sit at room temp for about 20 minutes.
3. Pre-heat oven to 450 and bake fish for 10-15 minutes...or until almost cooked through. Broil for a couple or so minutes or until it gets some golden color.
*Remember that the fish will continue to cook as it sits and the baking time depends on the thickness of the fish fillet.

Make the tomato compote:
1. While the fish bakes, prepare the tomato compote.
2. Add oil to skillet and heat on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook on med-low until soft.
3. Add the garlic and tomatoes. Season with a pinch of sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat.
4. Cook and turn tomatoes every so often until they start to swell and burst open a bit.
5. Add fresh basil or favorite herb. Toss to coat and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve straightaway.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Just gorgeous, what a fab & healthy meal. The compote color with the fish is just to die for

Ellie said...

Jennifurla, Thanks! You know, it not only looks pretty, but it tastes delicious as well:)! Hope you can give it a try someday...
Have a wonderful day!
~Ellie

Speranta said...

Merita incercata reteta!
Imi place foarte mult pestele!
Frumoasa prezentare.

retete- ina said...

nice,goood,thanks

Ellie said...

Speranta and Ina, Multumesc and Thank you!
Hope you enjoy...
Have a great day!~Ellie

megi said...

Hi Ellie, the tomato looks so good with baked fish. We eat fish all the time and it's always nice to have a healthy choice like this. I'll definitely try it.

Ellie said...

Megi, It's a rather quick way of preparing the fish....and the tomato compote is a nice compliment. I sure hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by~Ellie