Fish Veracruzana Style

You might have noticed I don't really post a lot of seafood recipes, I like fish but I'm bit picky about it and therefor my family is a bit picky too! So we don't really eat seafood that often.....but one of the ways I do love fish is "Pescado a la veracruzana", this recipe is one of the most famous seafood dishes from the Port of Veracruz on the coast of eastern Mexico. The ingredients and seasonings show a strong Spanish influence and to me is really one of those recipes that are close to my heart. Red snapper is the fish most commonly used for this dish, but any firm white fish fillet will do. In Mexico, the fish is sometimes left whole for this preparation.The original recipe asks for green olives but I don't really like olives so I have left them out, you can add 1/2 cup if you wish. You can also leave the peppers out to make it child friendly or you can add a few more to give it more kick!

Ingredients:

• 6 White-fleshed fish fillets 
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 Onion sliced
• 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 cups tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 2 green bell peppers sliced (optional)
• 1 cup Stock or water 
• 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano 
• 1 Bay leaf 
• 1 tablespoon capers  rinsed 
• 2-3 Pickled jalapeño peppers (optional), sliced into rounds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Add the fish, lime juice and salt to a large bowl and marinate for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. While fish is marinating, heat the oil over medium flame in a large pot or skillet. Add the onions and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and continue sautéing for another minute.
3. Add remaining ingredients except for the fish, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes and reduce the sauce a little. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Add the fish fillets and cover them with some of the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until fish is cooked through, 8 to 12 minutes. 
5. Serve with rice.

Tip: Be careful how much salt you add to this dish. The capers will add their own salt to the sauce, and it is easy to overdo it. Wait until the sauce has simmered for a while before you season it.