Vibrant Ocean Blue Fish

Featured in: Simple Everyday Plates

This vibrant dish highlights tender blue fish fillets cooked with fresh vegetables including fennel, red onion, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. Aromatics such as garlic, capers, and fresh herbs like parsley and dill enhance the bright lemon accents, creating a bright and savory flavor profile. Cooked in the oven and optionally served over quinoa or wild rice, it offers a delightful balance of textures and freshness ideal for pescatarian diets.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:47:00 GMT
Close-up of "Plongeons dans lOcéan Poisson Bleu," showcasing flaky blue fish with vibrant vegetables baked to perfection. Save
Close-up of "Plongeons dans lOcéan Poisson Bleu," showcasing flaky blue fish with vibrant vegetables baked to perfection. | birchplate.com

A vibrant seafood dish featuring tender blue fish fillets, fresh vegetables, and a hint of citrus, evoking the freshness of the ocean.

This dish reminds me of peaceful seaside dinners shared with family, filled with the aroma of fresh herbs and citrus.

Ingredients

  • Fish & Seafood: 4 blue fish fillets (eg mackerel, sardine, or bluefish) about 150 g each, 200 g small shrimp peeled and deveined
  • Vegetables: 1 fennel bulb thinly sliced, 1 red onion finely chopped, 1 small zucchini diced, 200 g cherry tomatoes halved
  • Aromatics & Seasonings: 2 cloves garlic minced, Zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 tbsp capers drained, 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped, 1 tsp sea salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp smoked paprika, 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Accompaniment: 200 g cooked quinoa or wild rice (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
Step 2:
Rinse and pat dry the blue fish fillets. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
Step 3:
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the red onion and fennel; sauté for 3 4 minutes until softened.
Step 4:
Add garlic and zucchini; cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in cherry tomatoes, capers, half the lemon zest, and half the parsley.
Step 5:
Lay the blue fish fillets and shrimp over the vegetables. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and lemon juice.
Step 6:
Sprinkle with dill and remaining lemon zest. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 18 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and the shrimp are pink.
Step 7:
Remove from oven, garnish with the rest of the parsley. Serve hot, optionally over quinoa or wild rice.
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This recipe always brings everyone together around the dinner table, sharing stories and laughter as the meal is enjoyed.

Notes

For a spicier touch, add a pinch of chili flakes before baking. Substitute blue fish with salmon or trout if desired. Serve with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a dry rosé.

Required Tools

Ovenproof skillet or baking dish, Chefs knife, Cutting board, Measuring spoons

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 340, Total Fat 15 g, Carbohydrates 12 g, Protein 36 g

Imagine succulent "Plongeons dans lOcéan Poisson Bleu": pan-seared blue fish with colorful tomatoes and a hint of lemon. Save
Imagine succulent "Plongeons dans lOcéan Poisson Bleu": pan-seared blue fish with colorful tomatoes and a hint of lemon. | birchplate.com

Enjoy this fresh and flavorful dish that brings the ocean to your plate with every bite.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What types of fish work best for this dish?

Bluefish, mackerel, or sardines are ideal choices as they offer tender, flavorful fillets that complement the citrus and herbs well.

Can other grains be served alongside?

Yes, quinoa or wild rice are recommended options but you can also try couscous or barley for variation.

How should I prepare the vegetables for optimal flavor?

Sauté fennel and red onion first until softened, then add garlic, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes to build layers of flavor before combining with seafood.

Is it possible to add spice to the dish?

Adding a pinch of chili flakes before baking introduces a subtle heat that complements the smoky paprika and citrus notes.

What herbs enhance this seafood dish?

Fresh parsley and dill add brightness and herby freshness, perfectly balancing the seafood and lemon elements.

Vibrant Ocean Blue Fish

Tender blue fish paired with fresh vegetables and citrus for a flavorful, light dish.

Prep Duration
20 minutes
Time to Cook
25 minutes
Overall Time
45 minutes
Created by Elena Hart


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type French

Servings produced 4 Serving Size

Diet Details No Dairy, Wheat-Free

What You'll Need

Fish & Seafood

01 4 blue fish fillets (e.g., mackerel, sardine, or bluefish), about 5.3 oz each
02 7 oz small shrimp, peeled and deveined

Vegetables

01 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
02 1 red onion, finely chopped
03 1 small zucchini, diced
04 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved

Aromatics & Seasonings

01 2 cloves garlic, minced
02 Zest and juice of 1 lemon
03 1 tbsp capers, drained
04 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
05 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
06 1 tsp sea salt
07 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 ½ tsp smoked paprika
09 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Accompaniment

01 7 oz cooked quinoa or wild rice (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Preheat oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.

Step 02

Season fish fillets: Rinse and pat dry the blue fish fillets, then season both sides with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.

Step 03

Sauté aromatics and vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the red onion and fennel; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.

Step 04

Add garlic and zucchini: Incorporate the minced garlic and diced zucchini, cooking for an additional 2 minutes before stirring in cherry tomatoes, capers, half the lemon zest, and half the parsley.

Step 05

Arrange seafood and finish seasoning: Place the blue fish fillets and shrimp atop the vegetable mixture. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle with dill and the rest of the lemon zest.

Step 06

Bake the dish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the fish is opaque and shrimp are pink and cooked through.

Step 07

Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, garnish with the remaining parsley, and serve hot, optionally over cooked quinoa or wild rice.

Tools Needed

  • Ovenproof skillet or baking dish
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring spoons

Allergy Details

Review all components to spot allergies and check with a doctor if you're unsure.
  • Contains fish and shellfish (shrimp).
  • Check for allergens in capers and processed ingredients.

Nutrition Breakdown (each serving)

Nutritional info is for reference. Please consult your doctor for specifics.
  • Energy (Calories): 340
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Proteins: 36 g