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Food & Wine Recipe

Pan-Fried Pompano with Tomato Caraway Glaze

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 35 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 6
  • •FAST
  • •STAFF-FAVORITE

Dot grilled chicken or shrimp with this slightly spicy and tomato-y butter, or toss it with steamed or grilled vegetables or spaghetti.

  1. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  2. 2 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
  3. 1 1/2 teaspoons hot paprika
  4. 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  5. 2 small garlic cloves, minced
  6. 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon chopped thyme, preferably lemon thyme
  7. 1 teaspoon chopped caraway seeds
  8. 1 stick plus 4 tablespoons (6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
  9. Salt
  10. Six 6-ounce pompano or Spanish mackerel fillets, with skin
  11. Freshly ground pepper
  1. Preheat the oven to 500°. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet. Add the tomatoes and cook over moderately high heat for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook, stirring and mashing the tomatoes with a fork until a thick puree forms, about 15 minutes. Add the hot and sweet paprikas and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Scrape the tomato puree into a bowl and let cool. Stir in the garlic, thyme and caraway seeds. Fold in the butter and season with salt.
  2. Lightly oil a large, rimmed baking sheet and arrange the pompano fillets on it, skin side down. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the tomato butter over the fillets, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Roast the fish in the top third of the oven for 6 minutes, or until golden brown and just cooked through. Transfer the fillets to plates and serve.
Make Ahead The butter can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before using.

Suggested Pairing

A full-flavored dish like this pompano finds its soul mate in a full-bodied white wine like Pinot Gris from Oregon.