We’re always on the lookout for ways to bring bold, exciting flavors to our weeknight dinners. Enter halibut puttanesca, a dish of mild fish simmered in a tomato sauce that’s punched up with spicy pepper flakes, garlic, briny olives and capers, and plenty of savory anchovies.
For an easy-to-make version, we skipped pan-searing the fish, which often causes the fragile fillets to stick to the pan and flake apart. Instead we sautéed shallot, garlic, anchovies, oregano, and red pepper flakes in the skillet; added canned tomatoes; and then nestled the halibut fillets into the pan of sauce.
Cooking on the stovetop worked, but we found it easier to maintain an even, gentle heat (so as not to overcook the fish) by moving the skillet to the oven. The tomato sauce slowly reduced as it cooked, concentrating its flavor. And this gentle approach made for halibut that not only held its shape but also stayed moist. We also found that other fish varieties such as cod and haddock worked just as well with this forgiving method—as long as the fillets were similarly sized and 1 inch thick.
Halibut Puttanesca
Serves 4- 4 (6- to 8-ounce) skinless center-cut halibut fillets, 1 inch thick
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 shallot, minced
- 5 garlic cloves, sliced thin
- 1 (2-ounce) can anchovies, drained and chopped
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup capers, rinsed
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Stir in tomatoes and their juice, olives, and capers. Nestle halibut into sauce and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until fish registers 135 degrees, 13 to 16 minutes.
Using a spatula, transfer halibut to a platter. Stir sauce to recombine, then spoon over halibut. Sprinkle with parsley and drizzle with extra oil. Serve.