Grouper With Tomatoes & Olives

Fast and full-flavored rules for quick summer meals. For some of us, and I include myself here, grouper is the king of Florida fish. The light yet definitive flavor, the firm yet yielding texture, the adaptability to make it outrageously good when baked, or fried, or grilled, or blackened. Or, as in this case, pan seared with tomatoes and olives. This recipe will take you all of 15 minutes but it will linger on the taste buds for hours. As always, fresh grouper will take this dish from great to fabulous.

 

4 grouper fillets each 5 oz

4 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 yellow onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tomatoes, peeled and seeded, then diced

5 large pimiento-stuffed green olives, sliced

1-tablespoon capers, rinsed

1 jalapeno chile, seeded and cut into 1-inch julienne

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Sprinkle the grouper steaks on both sides with 1⁄4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper. In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat 1-1/2 teaspoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the fish to the pan and sear on both sides until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 3 teaspoons olive oil to the pan. Add the onion and sauté until soft and lightly golden, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until softened, about 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes, olives, capers, and jalapeno and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Stir in the remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Return the fish to the pan, cover, and simmer until the fish is opaque throughout when tested with the tip of a knife, 6-8 minutes.

Transfer the grouper steaks to warmed individual plates. Stir the lime juice into vegetables and pan juices and spoon some sauce over each steak. Serve immediately.

 

 
 
Lighthouse Seafood is a family business,
owned and operated by Tim, Heather and Danny O’Leary.
They have supplied Central Florida restaurants and residents
with prime seafood for more than a decade.
Their commitment is to always have
only the freshest seafood for your table.

101 N. Country Club Rd.
Lake Mary, FL 32746
407.330.2425

8780 E CR 466
The Villages, FL 32162
352.751.1755