Fish with Curried Cucumber Tomato Water and Tomato Herb Salad

A refined dish combining delicate white fish fillets with a refreshing curried cucumber-tomato water and a vibrant herb-laden tomato salad. This light and elegant preparation perfectly balances fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and mild fish.

6 servings
1 hr 31 min

Ingredients

  • 1 piece cucumber
  • 1 piece tomato
  • ¼ teaspoon curry powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 piece lemon
  • 1 lb assorted small heirloom tomatoes
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon balm
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 fillets white fish fillets
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Purée cucumber, tomato, curry powder, and salt in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.

    1 min

  2. 2.

    Line a fine-mesh sieve with a dampened paper towel and set over a large glass measure, then transfer cucumber mixture to sieve and let drain until liquid measures 2/3 cup, about 20 minutes.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    If liquid measures less than 2/3 cup, gently squeeze paper towel over sieve until liquid totals 2/3 cup. Discard solids and transfer liquid to a 2- to 3-quart saucepan.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Boil cucumber tomato water until reduced to about 1/3 cup, then remove from heat and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

    30 min

  5. 5.

    Cut peel, including all white pith, from lemon with a sharp paring knife. Working over a bowl, cut segments free from membranes, letting segments fall into bowl, then chop segments, reserving juice in a cup.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Gently toss lemon segments and reserved juice with remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in cooled cucumber tomato water.

    5 min

  7. 7.

    Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 500°F.

    10 min

  8. 8.

    Rinse fish and pat dry. Brush fillets all over with oil and season with salt and pepper.

    5 min

  9. 9.

    Bake fillets in 1 layer in a lightly oiled shallow baking pan until just cooked through, 4 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets.

    8 min

  10. 10.

    Serve tomato herb salad on top of fish.

    2 min