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baked white fish with olives and a simple tomato sauce
© David Loftus

baked white fish with olives and a simple tomato sauce

servings
4
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method


The most important thing to remember with this recipe is to buy good-quality fish from your local fishmonger or supermarket. The recipe I’ve given you here can be used with all sorts of dishes – I’ve shown you how to tweak it to go with fish, but you can try using it with anything from pasta to grilled chicken. If you want to save some time, double the quantities and freeze half of the sauce (it will keep for a couple of months), or pop it in the fridge for up to a week.

Method

To make your sauce:

1. Peel and finely slice the garlic cloves. Pick the basil leaves and put aside, finely slice the stalks.

2. Add a good couple of lugs of olive oil to a large pan on medium heat. Add the garlic and basil stalks. Pierce the chili once with a knife so it doesn’t explode when frying, and add to the pan. Fry gently until the garlic is soft but not coloured, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the tins of tomato and season lightly with the salt and pepper. Gently simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Remove the chilli. Break and mush the tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Season the sauce really carefully with more salt and pepper, if needed, and add a tiny swig of red wine vinegar to give it a little twang.

To prepare and cook your fish:

4. Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/gas7.

5. Pour your tomato sauce into a roasting tray (about 20cm x 30cm). Season the fish filets on both sides with a little salt and pepper, then place on top of the sauce. Squash the olives, using the base of a jar or something heavy, and remove the stones. Sprinkle the olives and capers over the fish. Scatter the reserved basil leaves over the fish.

6. Cook in the oven for around 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through (check by cutting into the thickest part of one or two of the fillets; they should be pearly white and not transparent). Lovely served with new potatoes and a green salad.

ingredients


• 3 cloves of garlic
• a small bunch of fresh basil
• olive oil
• 1 fresh red chilli
• 2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• red wine vinegar
• 4x 150g white fish filets such as coley, whiting or pollock, skin off and bones removed
• a handful of black olives, stone in
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained

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tried this recipe or a similar one? share your tips...
1. by Nicola on Thu 22 Mar 2012 @ 16:39

I know the recipe obv says 'white fish' but I was wondering if it works well with Red fish as well. I 'm thinking of making it with a sweet potato side [ http://bit.ly/student-recipes-roasted-fish ]for a mates birthday dinner and I don't want to cock it up if it's specific to white fish.

2. by gmz on Thu 08 Mar 2012 @ 11:53

I made this last night for 4 people and it was georgious! Try this sauce with pasta, I'm sure you'll like it. And try this meal with rice: put 1 glass of rice to warm water and wait 30 minutes, then pour the water. Melt the butter in saucepan and put the rice in it. Season the rice with a little salt. Then put 1+1/2 (one and a half) glass of water on. First let the water boils, then turn to medium heat. Check the water ends or not?(About 15-20 minutes). If ends, wait 10 minutes and serve with meal.

3. by juliette on Wed 15 Feb 2012 @ 13:18

would this sauce work with JO's fab recipe for white fish filet with lemon zest and rosemary wrapped in pancetta? or would it all overpower the fish too much? any thoughts anyone?

4. by Lujain on Thu 17 Nov 2011 @ 22:51

Dear Jamie: I am a big fan of your food that is simple yet full of flavour, and your hard work to put healthy meals on our tables, this recipe is amazing, my husband ate it in minutes. Thanks... God bless

5. by Sylvia on Mon 03 Oct 2011 @ 16:29

I bought Dori filet and thinking of having baked fish but not sure what sauce I'm going to make. Look at your recipe and lucky enough I have most of the ingredients except the capers. Made it, and it was devoured by my family in seconds. Very successful indeed. Thank you very much Jamie.....

6. by joao saback on Sat 23 Jul 2011 @ 21:25

it´s very delciousos!!! i loved sauce!!!

7. by Chrissie on Sat 16 Jul 2011 @ 12:42

Made this for my family last night. Had it with lemon and parsley charlottes and a basil, tomato, olive and artichoke salad. Also had garlic bread to soak up the tomato sauce. Went down a treat. I always look to Jamie for dinner party inspiration and his recipes never let me down.

8. by Amanda on Sun 10 Jul 2011 @ 20:57

Made this last week for 10 people so just double-point-fived the recipe. Used locally caught grouper. Found that it needed more hot pepper so diced up one and put it in which gave just the tiniest edge of heat. Threw in some fresh tomatoes as they're in season, and had to use diced canned tomatoes as no plum 'maters were available. <br /> <br /> Got lots of compliments! The olives and capers are quite key for getting enough flavor, I think, but the basil didn't seem to add much. And of course as is said at the beginning of the recipe, getting good quality fish is crucial. Thanks, Jamie, for a delicious fish recipe that was easier than it tasted!

9. by linda on Mon 27 Jun 2011 @ 22:37

i tried this recipe and its so lovely!jamie's recipe is the best ever!

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