Ingredients:
– 4 (6-8 oz) red mullet fillets
– 4 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/2 small red onion, chopped
– 1/2 cup pitted black olives, chopped
– 1/4 cup capers, drained
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
– Salt and freshly-ground black pepper
– 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 400F.
2. While the oven is heating, prepare your ingredients. Chop the ripe tomatoes, garlic, red onion, black olives, and capers.
3. In a pan, sauté the garlic and red onion in the olive oil until golden brown. Then, add the chopped tomatoes, black olives, capers, and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5-10 minutes until the tomato sauce has thickened.
4. Place the red mullet fillets in a baking dish, skin-side down. Pour the tomato sauce over the fillets. Drizzle the lemon juice over the top of the sauce. Add a sprinkle of freshly-chopped parsley.
5. Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the fish is cooked through.
6. Once the fish is cooked, uncover the baking dish. Turn the oven to a broil setting, and broil the red mullet for 3-5 minutes to brown the top and give it a crispy finish.
7. Serve the red mullet in the baking dish, or carefully transfer the fillets to a serving platter. Spoon some of the tomato sauce over the top of each fillet. Serve with a side of green vegetables or a light salad.
You can also modify the recipe to suit your tastes. For instance, you can add a bit of chili pepper to the tomato sauce to give it some spice. You can also substitute the red mullet fillets with another type of fish, such as cod or sea bass. The key to a perfect Livornese-style red mullet is the tomato sauce – it should be rich, tangy, and full of flavor.
In conclusion, Livornese-style red mullet is an easy and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. With only a handful of ingredients, you can create a delicious seafood feast that will leave your guests wanting more. The tomato sauce is the star of the dish, and it pairs perfectly with the red mullet fillets. Give this recipe a try and impress your guests with your culinary skills. Bon appetit!