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A delicious Fish Puttanesca served in a rustic bowl.

Classic Fish Puttanesca

This classic fish puttanesca features tender white fish fillets simmered in a savory, aromatic tomato sauce with olives, capers, and anchovies, ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 fillets
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs White Fish Fillets cod, snapper, halibut, or mahi-mahi
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 4-5 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
  • 2-3 Anchovy Fillets packed in oil
  • 1 (28-ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes good quality
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives pitted and roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Capers drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes or more to taste
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil chopped (optional)
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
  • Lemon Wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Large skillet or wide pot
  • Paper towels
  • Fork

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and season them lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Making the Sauce
  1. Add anchovy fillets to the pan, stirring and mashing until they dissolve into the oil to create a savory base.
  2. Stir in the chopped Kalamata olives and drained capers, cooking for another minute to allow their flavors to develop.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cooking the Fish
  1. Uncover the sauce, gently nestle the seasoned fish fillets into it, and spoon some sauce over the fish.
  2. Cover and cook for 8-12 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, adjusting time for fillet thickness.
Finish and Serve
  1. Remove from heat, stir in fresh parsley and basil, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  2. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for a delicious and complete meal.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a splash of dry white wine to the sauce with the crushed tomatoes. If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely. This dish is excellent served with crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce, or over a bed of pasta or polenta.