Fish Veracruz-Style

When I found this recipe for Fish Veracruz-Style from Saveur Magazine, I knew I wanted to try it with some of our crappie – our go-to for most dishes calling for white fish.  I had a little under two pounds of fish which required cooking in two batches and there was still plenty of sauce. Otherwise, I followed the recipe as written except for the heat and all fresh herbs. This is the first batch.

Crappie Veracruz-Style – Adapted from Saveur Magazine

Ingredients:

1¾ lb. crappie filets

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 white onions, peeled and chopped

6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

4 large tomatoes, blanched, peeled, and chopped (or a 28-oz. can whole tomatoes) - I used a qt of our home canned tomatoes

20 large green olives such as manzanillas, pitted and chopped

2 tbsp. capers, rinsed

2 pickled jalapeño peppers, chopped

3 tbsp. pickled jalapeño juice

2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

2 sprigs fresh rosemary – I used 2 tsp dried

2 sprigs fresh marjoram – I used 1 tsp dried

½ tsp. dried Mexican oregano

2 bay leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 limes

Instructions:

1. Sprinkle filets with salt and place in a shallow pan. Cut limes in half and squeeze juice all over filets. Place lime halves in pan, cover, and marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour.

2. Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook until golden, about 15 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook for 1 minute.

3. Add tomatoes (break up if canned); cook for 10 minutes. 

4.Add olives, capers, jalapeños, jalapeño juice, parsley, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaves. 

5.Season with salt and pepper; cook over low heat for 20 minutes.

6. Add filets and marinade, cover, and cook, turning once, a few minutes per side.

We sided it with some figure-friendly steamed broccoli tossed in a little butter and Parmesan cheese.

The Verdict:

The crappie is very tender so it is hard to get it plated pretty but that didn’t take away from our enjoyment of it.  Even Bev, who always frowns at the idea of eating boiled fish, liked it – she is a fried fish kind of girl.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

9/15/21 event date