🍋 Mediterranean Baked Fish with Cherry Tomatoes & Olives

⭐ Ingredients

For the Fish:

• 1 large white fish fillet (cod, halibut, sea bass, or haddock)

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1–2 cloves garlic, sliced

• 1 small onion, sliced (optional, but seen in the picture)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ½ cup Kalamata olives, whole

• 1–2 tbsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp salt, or to taste

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp paprika (optional)

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

🥘 Instructions

1. Prepare the baking dish

• Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

• In a small baking dish, drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil.

• Scatter the sliced garlic and onions across the bottom.

2. Add tomatoes & olives

• Add the cherry tomato halves and Kalamata olives around the dish.

• Drizzle with ½ tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano.

• Toss gently so the flavours mix.

3. Season the fish

• Pat the fish fillet dry.

• Brush it with the remaining ½ tbsp olive oil.

• Season with:

  • Salt

  • Black pepper

  • Paprika (optional)

• Place the fish in the center of the dish on top of the garlic/onion mixture.

4. Add lemon

• Pour 1–2 tbsp lemon juice over the fish and tomatoes.

• (A lemon wedge in the picture suggests fresh lemon is squeezed before serving.)

5. Bake

• Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, depending on fish thickness, until:

  • Flesh is opaque

  • Easily flakes with a fork

  • Tomatoes become soft and barely blistered

6. Garnish

• Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top.

• Optional: drizzle a tiny amount of olive oil before serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Lemon rice

• Couscous

• Quinoa

• Crusty bread

• Roasted vegetables

• A simple Mediterranean salad

❤️ Flavor Notes (Matching the Picture)

• The dish in your image has a lemony, garlicky olive-oil sauce around the fish.

• Tomatoes release their juices to create a natural broth.

• Kalamata olives give a salty, rich Mediterranean flavor.

• Fish is lightly browned on top — meaning it may have been brushed with olive oil and baked at high heat.