Description
This Pan-Fried Fish with Blistered Tomatoes recipe offers a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring fresh grouper fillets pan-seared to perfection and topped with blistered cherry tomatoes, capers, and scallions. Garnished with crumbled feta cheese, fresh lemon juice, and Italian parsley, this quick and elegant meal comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 2 lbs fresh grouper fillets (skin removed, about 3/4 inch thick, or four 6-8 oz filets)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking fish)
Sauce and Toppings
- 2 pints fresh cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp capers (drained)
- 4 scallions (white parts only, minced)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (for tomatoes)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp Italian parsley (chopped)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the fish. Pat the grouper fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt and ground black pepper to enhance the fish’s natural flavor.
- Cook the fish. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the fillets and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the fish is golden brown on the outside and just cooked through inside. Transfer the cooked fillets to a warm plate and cover loosely to keep warm.
- Blister the tomatoes and prepare the sauce. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add cherry tomatoes and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes blister and soften, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in drained capers and minced scallions. Add unsalted butter and fresh lemon juice, allowing the butter to melt and combine, creating a flavorful sauce.
- Assemble and serve. Return the fish to the skillet briefly to warm through with the tomato mixture, then sprinkle chopped Italian parsley and crumbled feta cheese on top. Serve immediately, spooning the blistered tomato and caper mixture over the fish for a vibrant and delicious meal.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking the fish to maintain a good sear.
- If grouper is not available, other firm white fish like snapper or halibut work well.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste for desired brightness.
- For a lower-fat option, reduce butter to 2 tablespoons or substitute with olive oil.
