Name: Baked Fish with Cherry Tomatoes and Olives Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 Fish Fillet; 1 tsp Paprika; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (old bay or creole seasoning); ½ tsp Chilli flakes; 1 tsp Fish seasoning (optional); ½ tsp Salt; ½ tsp Black pepper; 3 tbsp Cooking oil; 2 cups Cherry tomatoes; ¼ cup Olives; 2 sprigs Parsley (fresh); 2 sprigs Thyme (fresh); 3 Garlic cloves (minced or diced); ½ tsp of the mixed seasoning reserved from fish mix; 2 tbsp Water; 3 tbsp Salted butter; Pinch of Salt and Pepper

Ingredients

1 fish fillet

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp Cajun seasoning (old bay or creole seasoning)

½ tsp chilli flakes

1 tsp fish seasoning (optional)

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

3 tbsp cooking oil

2 cups cherry tomatoes

¼ cup olives

2 sprigs fresh parsley

2 sprigs fresh thyme

3 garlic cloves (minced or diced)

½ tsp of the mixed seasoning above (reserved from fish seasoning)

2 tbsp water

3 tbsp salted butter

Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400℉ (200℃).

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix paprika, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, chilli flakes, fish seasoning (if using), salt, and black pepper. Set aside 1 teaspoon of this mix to season the tomatoes later.

Step 3: Rub both sides of the fish fillet thoroughly with the seasoning mixture.

Step 4: Heat the cooking oil over medium heat in an oven-safe pan. Sear the fish for about 1 minute on each side until it develops a nice char but is not fully cooked.

Step 5: Remove the fish from the pan and set it aside.

Step 6: In the same pan, add cherry tomatoes, olives, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, reserved seasoning, water, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture for about 3 minutes while stirring continuously.

Step 7: Place the seared fish in the center of the tomato and olive mixture in the pan. Dot the fish with salted butter on top.

Step 8: Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. If your pan is not oven-safe, move the ingredients to a baking dish before baking.

Step 9: Remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite side dish.

Tips & Variations

Use a firm white fish like cod, halibut, or sea bass for best results.

If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the chilli flakes.

Swap olives for capers to add a tangy flavor.

Fresh herbs make a big difference—use fresh parsley and thyme when possible.

Serve with crusty bread or steamed rice to soak up the flavorful juices.

FAQs

Can I use frozen fish fillets for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw and pat the fillets dry before seasoning and cooking to avoid excess moisture.

Is it necessary to sear the fish before baking?

Searing gives the fish a nice flavor and texture, but if you’re short on time, you can skip this step and bake the fish directly with the tomato and olive mixture—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.