Preview: Snapper Veracruz

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

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Step 1: Preparing Your Mise en Place

Preparing Your Mise en Place

To start, first preheat your oven to 425º degrees Fahrenheit.

To prepare your mise en place, very thinly slice the onion and émincé the garlic. Mince the jalapeños and make sure to reserve the juice. Roughly chop the pitted olives and then slice the peeled tomatoes into approximately 1/4" -inch slices. Just be careful when slicing as they can be quite slippery. You don't have to peel the tomatoes, but this dish is much nicer to eat if the tomatoes have been peeled (see attached drill-down). Next, cut the lime in half and roughly chop the cilantro. Lastly, gather the capers, bay leaves, white wine, olive oil and reserved jalapeño juice.

  • 1/2 white onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 to 2 tbsp pickled jalapeños (with the juice)
  • 1/4 cup green olives (such as picholine)
  • 4 medium tomatoes
  • 1 lime (optional)
  • 1/3 cup cilantro
  • 1 to 2 tbsp capers
  • 3 bay leaves (optional)
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Step 2: Preparing the Snapper

Preparing the Snapper

To prepare the fish, first debone and then slice each fillet into 2 or 3 equal pieces. Season both sides with salt and pepper and squeeze the lime juice over top. Set aside.

  • 2 large snapper fillets (about 1 1/4 lb)
  • kosher salt (to taste)
  • freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Step 3: Assembling & Baking the Dish

Assembling & Baking the Dish

To begin assembling, first spray a 9" x 12" -inch casserole dish with cooking spray.

Lay the bay leaves on the bottom of the dish and start to layer with half of the onions, garlic, olives and cilantro. For the tomatoes, use the not-so-pretty or end-pieces first. Then season with salt and pepper and lay down the fish. Repeat with the second layer, only this time, add the jalapeños and capers as well. Season again with a bit of salt and pepper. Finally, pour over the jalapeño juice, white wine and finish with a quality olive oil.

Cover and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will depend on the thickness of the fish.

  • vegetable oil (for coating the baking dish)
  • kosher salt (to taste)
  • freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Step 4: Finishing the Dish

Finishing the Dish

After about 10 to 15 minutes, uncover the dish and continue to bake for another 5 to 10 minutes.

When ready, the juices should be hot and bubbling and the fish should just start to flake apart. The tomatoes should also look like they are starting to cook and break down.

Once done, serve immediately. Make sure to spoon the delicious juices over top. If desired, finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Notes

Any mild white fish can be substituted for snapper.

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Naouar E

Substitute for white wine...

This dish looks great. What can I use as a substitute for white wine?

Kimberley S
Rouxbe Staff

Substitutes for White Wine

Hi Naouar,

You can substitute quite a few things for white wine. Try chicken stock or veggie stock. For this recipe, instead of substituting the entire 1/4 cup white wine with just stock, try combining 3 tablespoons of stock with 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to give the liquid some acidity. Taste it before using to see if you like the flavor, and adjust to your liking.

Here's a good link for substitutes.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/alcoholsubstitutes.htm

Enjoy!

Naouar E

Great site!

Just added it to my favorites. Thanks!

Earth T

Good one

Its much like me!

Rupak P

Lovely

I just prepared it and it tastes nice.

Earth T

Like it!

Making it in my kitchen.

Allison P

LOVE this recipe

I have made this dish several times and we love it every time. Its flavors blend beautifully. A light dish that is surprisingly satisfying and filling! I’ve made this with Cod and Halibut and both came out great. I have also made with chicken stock instead of the wine. Which was still great but I do prefer the flavor of an Oaky Chardonnay; I think it sets the dish just right. Well done!!

Sean D

Be careful not to overcook the fish

I did. Just a little bit, but the dish was lovely all the same. It's easy to make and once you've got the ingredients, it's really a matter of getting them all assembled and you have a great dinner.

I used about 1.8 pounds of fish, and it wasn't enough. Or possibly people liked it too much. However we did find some bread (to dip in the sauce) quite useful. And it helped fill us up a bit.

We drank it with the remaining white wine and yes, that went well too.

Marcelo B

Great with Halibut

This dish was very easy to make. I used fresh halibut and served it over Toasted Middle Eastern Couscous. The flavor combination was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the jalapeños, capers and olives. Will make it again.

Coco H

Whole peeled

can you use whole peeled tomato in a can substitute to the fresh tomato that s been blanch

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Whole Peeled Tomatoes in a Can

Yes in a pinch, but fresh would still be nicer.

Allison P

Chicken anyone?

Becoming tired of the same old chicken dishes I decided to switch things up a bit. We love the flavors of this dish so I decided to try it using chicken instead of the fish. I Butterflied a few breasts and extended the cooking time, but other than that I left the recipe as is. It came out amazing.

Vicky V

Great Recipe!

Wonderful!! Reminded me of some of the dishes we get in Almalfi, Italy...yummy. Can't wait to try in summer with homegrown tomatoes. This one is on my favorites list!

Liz D

Snapper worked well too!

I made this dish for dinner last night and it turned out perfectly. I used banana peppers instead of jalapenos since I had a jar that was already open, but other than that I followed the recipe.

I agree with Allison P that this is a light and filling dish. Fish is not a favorite in my household, but I got the comment "it's good, for fish", so I guess it was a winner! :)

I served this with the green bean recipe that's also on Rouxbe and that turned out great too.

Liz

Ruth H

Scarsdale & 2 fish dinners per week

If you're looking for scarsdale happy dinners as we have to cook 2 per week with fish...this one is great. Tonight I'm using cod and diced tomatoes from a can (because I don't have any fresh ones and I don't feel like going out again today) Consider whole foods stuffed green olives with jalopenos and take some of the juice as you do two things at once.

I'm serving the fish over tossed greens with salt and pepper beets and sauteed vegies. Can hardly wait for 6:30, mind you on scarsdale all you think about is your next yummy meal.

Joseph S

I love this dish!...

There is nothing more to be said... :)

Noel G

Fish

Can you use whiting or other types of fish?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Type of Fish

Yes, you could trying using other types of fish. I would tend to stay with other white fish but you could try experimenting to see what work for you.

Tia L

Yummmmm

Made this last night! Even the kids loved it. So good!

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