Pescado a la Veracruzana (Fish in Tomato Sauce with Olives and Capers)
Why this recipe works
- Layered savoury sauce: Onion, garlic, oregano and bay leaves build a fragrant base before the tomatoes cook down into a tangy sauce.
- Bright, briny balance: Olives, capers and lime cut through the richness of the fish and give the sauce its distinctive Veracruzana character.
- Gentle cooking method: The fish cooks covered in the sauce, so it stays moist and needs little handling once added to the pan.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For less heat: Remove the jalapeño seeds and membrane, or use a smaller amount so the sauce stays fragrant rather than spicy.
- For more warmth: Use extra jalapeño or swap in a little red chilli for a sharper heat that still suits the tomato sauce.
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm white fish: Use a mild, firm fillet that can hold its shape while simmering, such as cod, hake, halibut or sea bass.
- Check the olives and capers: Their saltiness varies, so rinse briefly if they taste very briny and season the sauce only after they have been added.
- Use ripe tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes break down more easily and give the sauce a fresher, rounder acidity.
Texture tips
- Keep the simmer gentle: A low, steady simmer helps the fish cook evenly without toughening or breaking apart.
- Let it rest briefly: Resting off the heat for a couple of minutes lets the fish finish gently and makes it easier to serve in neat pieces.
Authenticity notes
- Veracruz-style sauce: The combination of tomatoes, olives, capers and oregano is closely associated with Veracruz’s coastal cooking.
- Serve with rice: Plain steamed rice is the classic practical pairing, soaking up the tomato, lime and olive-rich sauce.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely slice the onion. Thinly slice the jalapeno pepper (remove the seeds for less heat), and thinly slice the garlic.
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of the fine sea salt, then cook for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
- Stir in the jalapeno pepper and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the dried oregano and bay leaves and stir for 30 seconds.
- Roughly chop the tomatoes, then add them to the pan with the remaining fine sea salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down into a saucy consistency.
- Stir in the green pitted olives and capers, then simmer for 2 minutes. Taste the sauce and adjust with a little more fine sea salt if needed.
- Nestle the white fish fillet into the sauce in a single layer. Cover and cook gently for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Remove the pan from the heat and squeeze over the lime. Rest for 2 minutes, then spoon the sauce over the fish to serve.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil so the fish stays tender and does not break up.
- If your capers and green pitted olives are very salty, rinse them briefly and drain well before adding.
- Fish should be cooked until opaque and flaking; if serving anyone vulnerable, make sure it is cooked all the way through.
Substitutions
- Replace the jalapeno pepper with a smaller amount of red chili pepper for a sharper heat.
- Replace the lime with lemon for a slightly softer citrus finish.
- Replace the green pitted olives with black pitted olives for a rounder, less briny flavour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a covered frying pan over a low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened; avoid vigorous stirring so the fish stays in pieces.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 45min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Mexican
-
Allergens:
Fish
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