Poached Fish with Spinach in Chili-Tomato Sauce

A healthy Mediterranean-style dish featuring white fish fillets poached in a flavorful tomato sauce with fennel, chili, and olives, finished with fresh herbs and lemon. This light yet satisfying meal combines the delicate flavor of fish with a robust spicy tomato sauce.

4 servings
25 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 whole red onion, peeled and finely sliced
  • 1 bulb bulb of fennel, finely sliced
  • 1 whole fresh red chili, finely sliced (deseeded for less heat, if you like)
  • 2 cups tomato purée from fresh or canned tomatoes
  • 6 ounces cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 to taste Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 4 fillets white fish fillets, such as cod, hake, or sea bass, skinned and pin-boned
  • ½ cup black or green olives, pitted
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped or grated
  • 1 lemon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Put 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a pan on medium heat and sauté the onion, fennel and chili for 2 to 3 minutes, to soften. Add the tomato purée and cherry tomatoes. Simmer for a further 4 to 5 minutes. Season to taste with a little salt and pepper.

    8 min

  2. 2.

    Arrange the fish fillets in the pan, on top of the tomato sauce. Cover with a lid and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked and starting to flake. Just before serving, carefully stir in the olives and baby spinach and heat for a further minute.

    11 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile combine the parsley, garlic, lemon zest, and juice in a bowl.

    2 min

  4. 4.

    To serve, arrange the fish fillets on plates and spoon over the tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the herby topping, and add a squeeze of lemon juice to finish.

    3 min

  5. 5.

    Enjoy this with some additional steamed greens.

    1 min