James's
Red
Snapper
Veracruz
2 pounds red snapper fillets
Salt
Pepper
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced in half slices
1 1/2 pounds red ripe tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
1 cup water
8 or 9 peppercorns
2 bay leaves
2 garlic cloves, finely mashed
Heat a little oil in a large skillet and sauté the fillets after salting and
peppering them lightly. Turn only once and do not overcook. Lay fillets in a
large oblong ovenproof dish and set aside.
In a large saucepan heat the 4 tablespoons oil until hot, but not smoking, and
sauté the sliced onion 1 minute, until limp but not brown, stirring constantly.
Add tomatoes and water, season with salt, and add the peppercorns, bay leaves
and garlic. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Pour sauce over fish fillets. At this point you can scatter a few stuffed green
olives or drained and rinsed capers over the fish. Seal dish in foil. Heat a few
minutes in the oven at 325 degrees F before serving.
We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb
over them, or build with them.
- William Arthur Ward