Psari Spetsiotiko
(Greek fish baked with tomatoes and breadcrumbs)
Image by Gordon Joly
Psari spetsiotiko is simple fishing village food. This tasty dish gets its name from the island of Spetses southwest of Athens, where it originated. Fresh fish is baked in a seasoned tomato sauce and topped with a golden crust of breadcrumbs.
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
- Olive oil -- 3 tablespoons
- Bread crumbs -- 1 cup
- Fish fillets -- 2 pounds
- Lemon, juice only -- 1/2
- Salt and pepper -- to season
- Olive oil -- 3 tablespoons
- Garlic -- 2 or 3 cloves
- Tomatoes, crushed -- 2 cups
- White wine -- 1/2 cup
- Honey or sugar -- 2 teaspoons
- Parsley, minced -- 1/4 cup
- Salt and pepper -- to taste
Method
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spread the first 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a baking dish large enough to hold all the the fish in one layer. Sprinkle half the breadcrumbs over the bottom of the dish, then lay the fish fillets in a single layer over the breadcrumbs. Squeeze the lemon juice over the fillets, sprinkle them salt and pepper and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium flame. Add the garlic and sauté briefly without browning. Add the tomatoes, wine, honey or sugar, parsley, salt and pepper and simmer to cook down the tomatoes somewhat, about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
- Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the fish and sprinkle with the remaining breadcrumbs. Place in the oven and bake until the fish is cooked through and the breadcrumbs have formed a golden crust, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Psari Spetsiotiko Variations
- Use any firm, white fish filets such as cod, snapper or porgy.
- Add a pinch of oregano or cinnamon to the sauce if you like.
- Set under the broiler briefly to brown if necessary.
