Monkfish with Fresh Tomato Sauce
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Energy Kcal 226
- Carbohydrates g 4.8
- of which sugars g 4.8
- Protein g 28.4
- Fats g 10.4
- of which saturated fat g 1.66
- Fiber g 1.5
- Cholesterol mg 122
- Sodium mg 463
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 20 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Average
PRESENTATION
Monkfish with fresh tomato sauce is a classic dish from the sunny coasts of Italy, where they really celebrate simple yet flavorful meals. This monkfish recipe is all about the tender fish, known for its meaty texture and, importantly, no tiny bones—yeah, that's a big plus! It’s a favorite in regions like Liguria and Campania. The real magic here? Letting the sweet taste of ripe tomatoes steal the show. With a light sauce of fresh tomato sauce, basil, and just a hint of garlic, the moist and delicate flavor of the fish is seriously good. You get a dish that feels special but doesn’t need any fancy ingredients. For real, that's the charm of Italian cuisine.
And here's the thing: freshness is what sets this dish apart from other easy seafood dinner options. Honestly, it's often compared to lobster because of its firm texture, but it's mild enough for even the pickiest eaters. The meal is light and tangy, perfect when you want something satisfying but not too heavy. Sometimes, in those Italian seaside towns, they throw in a splash of white wine or extra basil—just to mix it up. But the essentials? They stay the same: high-quality fish, ripe tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil. Pretty simple, right? This isn’t one of those complicated healthy fish recipes that takes hours. Nope, it’s not. Instead, the combo of juicy tomatoes and perfectly cooked monkfish gives you a dish that’s a hit any night of the week.
Whether you call it coda di rospo or simply monkfish, this recipe brings a taste of Mediterranean sunshine to your table, showing why Mediterranean cuisine is really, really adored worldwide. With its balance of flavors and easy prep, it’s a true proof of the beauty of coastal Italian cooking, inviting everyone to enjoy a little slice of the Mediterranean lifestyle right at home.
- INGREDIENTS
- Monkfish 1.75 lbs (800 g)
- Cherry tomatoes 3.4 cups (500 g)
- Garlic 1 clove
- Basil to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp (30 g)
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
How to prepare Monkfish with Fresh Tomato Sauce
To prepare monkfish with fresh tomato sauce, start by washing and drying the cherry tomatoes, then cut them in half 1. Drizzle a non-stick pan with a little oil and sauté a clove of garlic, peeled and halved 2. Then add the cherry tomatoes 3,
tear the fresh basil directly over the cherry tomatoes to flavor 4 and season with salt 5. Let it cook over low heat for 10 minutes, covering with a lid 6.
Meanwhile, take the monkfish fillet (anglerfish), wash it under running water, and pat it dry with paper towels. Then cut it into slices about 1.5 inches thick 7. Add the pieces of monkfish to the pan with the fresh tomato sauce 8. Adjust with pepper 9 and let it cook for another 1-2 minutes over low heat.
Then, using a spatula, turn the fish fillets to ensure even cooking 10 and let them cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove the garlic 11 and turn off the heat. Your monkfish with fresh tomato sauce is ready to be enjoyed, perhaps adding a fresh basil leaf 12!