Description
Halibut alla Puttanesca combines flaky seared halibut with a bold, briny tomato sauce infused with olives, capers, and garlic. It’s a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.
Ingredients
- Halibut fillets: 4 pieces (about 6 oz each)
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Cherry tomatoes: 2 cups, halved
- Kalamata olives: ½ cup, pitted and sliced
- Capers: 2 tablespoons
- Crushed red pepper flakes: ¼ teaspoon
- Fresh parsley: ¼ cup, chopped
- Lemon zest: From 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix halved cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Season the halibut fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Add them to the hot skillet and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Assemble the Dish: In the same pan, add a bit more oil and sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds. Then toss in the tomato mixture and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Cook to Perfection: Return the halibut fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the fish and let them warm together for 2 minutes.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle fresh parsley and lemon zest over the top just before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the fish with plenty of sauce and serve with bread, rice, or couscous.
Notes
- Use good-quality olives for richer flavor.
- Don’t overcook the fish — it should be opaque and flake easily.
- Add a pinch of sugar if tomatoes are too acidic.
- Lemon zest brightens the dish — don’t skip it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: halibut alla puttanesca, halibut recipes, mediterranean fish, quick fish dinner, tomato olive caper sauce