Mediterranean whitefish with olive tapenade

A healthy recipe for Mediterranean whitefish prepared with a delicious sun-dried tomato and olive tapenade. Enjoy this restaurant-quality meal in less than 30 minutes.

 

The Mediterranean Diet is very popular right now. It is inspired by the eating habits of the people of Greece, Italy, and Spain. Some of the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet include being effective for weight loss, being anti-inflammatory, and helpful to the immune system. The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association recommend the Mediterranean diet as a healthy dietary pattern that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.


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What is Tapenade?

 

different types of tapenade spread

 

Tapenade is a Provencal dip or spread that is made from olives, anchovies, and capers. It is easy to make and is a wonderful accompaniment on a cheese board, It is often added as a base for a sauce. It does have a slightly bitter taste, but can be softened with the addition of seasonings. Tapenade is packed with healthy nutrients, making it a great substitute for other condiments like ketchup and mustard.

 

What Type of Whitefish Should I Use?

 

white fish cod fillet

 

According to SeafoodNutrition.org, whitefish (or white fish) is generally a mild-flavored, often slightly-sweet fish, which can be interchangeable in recipes. It is great for pan-frying, broiling, grilling, using in soups and chowders, and baking. It can be delicate, so keep an eye on it while cooking so it is flaky vs. mushy. The generic term “white fish” is used here because this recipe will work with any locally available mild, firm white fish.

 

Types of whitefish include:

Pollack
Cod
Haddock
Halibut
Barrelfish

 

 

Mediterranean Whitefish with Tapenade

 

Mediterranean Whitefish with Tapenade

 

This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal since it comes together quickly, and it is full of flavor! 

 

Tools Needed:

Food processor
Mixing bowl
Non-stick skillet

 

Ingredients:

(4) 6 oz white fish fillets
3 oz Feta cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon, cut in wedges
salt & pepper, to taste

Tapenade Ingredients:

½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
¼ cup green olives, pitted and chopped
1 tbsp capers, drained
1 tsp anchovy paste
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice

ingredients to make sun dried tomato and olive tapenade

 

I highly recommend preparing the tapenade a day or two in advance to allow the flavors to fully develop. This will also cut the prep time for this recipe to just a minute or two – and you can’t beat that!

 

Prepare the tapenade by combining all the tapenade ingredients into a medium-sized bowl. Stir to combine everything and then transfer half of the mixture to your food processor and quickly pulse until finely chopped – but not smooth. Return the mixture to the bowl and stir with the rest of the tapenade. Cover it and set it aside, or refrigerate.

 

how to pan fry white fish

 

Add the olive oil to a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Season the fish fillets with salt and black pepper, to taste, and add to the hot pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or just until golden brown, then turn and cook on the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Repeat on each edge for 1 minute or just until golden. Do not overcook.

 

Add the sun-dried tomato and olive tapenade to the skillet. Toss in the crumbled Feta and cook, stirring continually, just until heated through – approximately 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer the fillets to individual serving plates. Spoon some of the warm tapenade over each fillet and serve with lemon wedges.

 

If you enjoy this recipe, you will love my Sicilian Fish Stew. It is whitefish again with a Mediterranean flavor. Check it out!

 

This light Mediterranean whitefish with sun-dried tomatoes and olive tapenade is a low-carb, healthy meal that is full of flavor and will be ready in less than 30 minutes.

 

whitefish with tapenade

 

Did you give this recipe a try? Let me know in the comments below. Or snap a photo and tag @coolbeanliving on Instagram!

 

Be sure to give my Fried Calamari Salad a try, you won’t be disappointed!

 

 

 

Mediterranean Tapenade Whitefish

Mediterranean Whitefish Tapenade

MaryJo
A quick and easy healthy meal of white fish with olive tapenade
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine French, Mediterranean
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 6 oz white fish fillets
  • 3 oz Feta cheese crumbled
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon cut in wedges
  • salt & pepper to taste

Tapenade Ingredients:

  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives pitted and chopped
  • ¼ cup green olives pitted and chopped
  • 1 tbsp capers drained
  • 1 tsp anchovy paste
  • 1 clove garlic chopped
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  • Prepare the tapenade by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir to combine, then transfer half the mixture to a food processor and quickly pulse until finely chopped, but not smooth. Return to the bowl and stir to combine with the rest of the tapenade. Cover and set aside.
  • Add the olive oil to a large non-stick skillet set over medium heat. Season the fish fillets with salt and black pepper, to taste, and add to the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or just until golden brown, then turn and cook on the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Repeat on each edge for 1 minute or just until golden. Do not overcook.
  • Add the tapenade and Feta cheese to the skillet and cook, stirring continually, just until heated through - approximately 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the fillets to individual serving plates. Spoon some of the warm tapenade over each fillet and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Keyword Mediterranean, tapenade, whitefish

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