Moldovan Baked Fish with Vegetables and Wine Sauce
A flavorful and elegant dish featuring white fish baked with a medley of vegetables in a light, tangy wine sauce. This recipe highlights the use of fresh ingredients and the subtle influence of regional culinary traditions.
๐ง Ingredients
- 4 pieces White fish fillets(e.g., carp, trout, perch, cod (approx. 150-200g each))
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 medium White onion(sliced)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(sliced (any color))
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Canned chopped tomatoes
- 100 ml Dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley(chopped)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 200ยฐC (400ยฐF).
๐ก Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated for even cooking. - 2
Prepare the fish: clean, wash, and pat dry the fish fillets. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
๐ก Tip: Patting the fish dry helps it to cook better and prevents it from becoming watery. - 3
In a deep oven dish, combine the sliced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Add salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
๐ก Tip: You can add other vegetables like leeks or mushrooms if desired. - 4
Place the seasoned fish fillets on top of the vegetable mixture in the baking dish.
๐ก Tip: Ensure the vegetables are spread out to create a bed for the fish. - 5
In a small bowl, whisk together the canned chopped tomatoes, dry white wine, remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and chopped fresh parsley. Pour this sauce evenly over the fish and vegetables.
๐ก Tip: Using a good quality white wine will enhance the flavor of the sauce. - 6
Cover the baking dish with foil or a lid and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- 7
Remove the foil/lid and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, and the sauce has slightly reduced.
๐ก Tip: Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish fillets. - 8
Serve the baked fish hot, spooning some of the vegetable and wine sauce over each portion.
๐ก Tip: This dish pairs well with mฤmฤligฤ (polenta), boiled potatoes, or crusty bread.
๐ก Pro Tips
- โFor a crispier topping, you can briefly broil the fish for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- โAdjust the amount of garlic and herbs to your personal taste.
- โIf you don't have white wine, you can substitute with fish or vegetable broth and a splash of white wine vinegar.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a few capers or olives to the sauce for an extra briny flavor.
- Use different types of white fish, such as cod, haddock, or sea bass.