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Monkfish in Tomato-Garlic Sauce
© Quentin Bacon

Monkfish in Tomato-Garlic Sauce

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  • ACTIVE: 25 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 40 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 8
  • •FAST
  • •HEALTHY

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  1. 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  2. 2 heads of garlic plus 4 large cloves, peeled and very thinly sliced
  3. 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  4. 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
  5. 2 cups water
  6. Salt and freshly ground pepper
  7. Eight 6-ounce cleaned monkfish fillets, about 2 inches thick
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large skillet, warm 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and cook slowly over very low heat, shaking the skillet, until the garlic is deep golden, 15 minutes. Remove about 1/4 cup of garlic slices to a plate and reserve. Add the paprika to the garlic in the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook over moderately high heat for 1 minute. Add the water and simmer until the sauce has reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. In a very large skillet, heat the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Cook over high heat until browned on the bottom, 2 minutes. Turn the fish, transfer to the oven, and roast until just cooked through, 15 minutes.
  3. Transfer the fish to a large, warmed platter. Pour any juices from the skillet into the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Spoon the sauce onto plates and set the fish on top. Scatter the fried garlic over the fish and serve right away.

Suggested Pairing

A creamy Sauvignon Blanc, such as one from the Penedès region of Spain, is great with the garlicky tomato sauce on this monkfish.