Montenegrin Baked Fish with Vegetables
A flavorful and healthy dish featuring fresh fish baked with a medley of colorful vegetables, seasoned with Mediterranean herbs. This recipe highlights the use of local produce and the simplicity of Montenegrin coastal cuisine.
๐ง Ingredients
- 750 g White fish fillets (e.g., sea bream, trout)
- 2 medium Potatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 medium Zucchini, thinly sliced
- 2 Bell peppers (any color), cut into pieces
- 250 g Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 Green onions, sliced
- 6 Garlic cloves, minced
- 70 g Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped
- 1 Lemon zest
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 100 ml White wine
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 200ยฐC (400ยฐF).
๐ก Tip: Preheating the oven ensures even cooking. - 2
Prepare the marinade for the sun-dried tomatoes: In a bowl, combine chopped sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic (3 cloves), chopped parsley, chopped basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
๐ก Tip: Marinating the sun-dried tomatoes infuses them with flavor. - 3
Prepare the vegetables: Slice the potatoes thinly. Slice the zucchini horizontally and then into 0.5 cm thick pieces. Slice the green onions. Cut the bell peppers into pieces the size of the zucchini.
๐ก Tip: Uniformly cut vegetables ensure even cooking. - 4
In a baking pan, arrange the sliced potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and green onions. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
๐ก Tip: Layering vegetables at the bottom helps to steam and cook the fish. - 5
Rinse and pat dry the fish fillets. Season them with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavities of the fish with the prepared sun-dried tomato mixture.
๐ก Tip: Stuffing the fish adds an extra layer of flavor. - 6
Place the stuffed fish fillets on top of the vegetables in the baking pan. Pour the white wine over the fish and vegetables.
๐ก Tip: White wine adds moisture and flavor during baking. - 7
Brush the fish with a little olive oil. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, and the vegetables are tender.
๐ก Tip: Baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fish. - 8
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
๐ก Tip: This dish pairs well with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.
๐ก Pro Tips
- โYou can use any firm white fish for this recipe. Adjust baking time based on the thickness of the fillets.
- โIf you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but use it sparingly.
- โFor a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sun-dried tomato mixture.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or asparagus.
- For a richer flavor, add a few black olives to the vegetable mix.
- Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a squeeze of fresh lemon.