Sunday, September 12, 2010

Pancetta-Wrapped Cod with Marinated Tomatoes

I love pancetta - it has all the fantastic pork-y flavor of bacon, but it's so thinly sliced that it doesn't overwhelm a dish (and you also save a few calories).  This dish showcases the pancetta perfectly.  It adds a wonderful salty note to a simple fish dish.  I also love the marinated tomatoes that top the fish.  Initially, I was a little worried that the flavors of tomatoes and fish wouldn't go well together, but I don't know what I was thinking!  They might be a slightly unusual pairing, but they go together very nicely.  Using high-quality heirloom tomatoes here really makes the difference...they pretty much taste exactly like summer!


Pancetta-Wrapped Cod with Marinated Tomatoes (adapted from Sunday Suppers at Lucques)
Serves 3

3 fillets of cod or snapper, about 1/3-pound each
Zest of 1 lemon
About 1 T fresh thyme leaves
Salt and pepper
2 ounces thinly sliced pancetta
2-3 medium heirloom tomatoes
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Cabernet or red wine vinegar
Several leaves of basil, thinly sliced
1-2 tsp finely diced shallots
Spray oil
Lemon wedges, to serve

1. Sprinkle the lemon zest and thyme leaves evenly over the fillets of fish.  Season with salt and pepper.  Carefully wrap the pancetta around the fish.  Cover with plastic, and let chill in the fridge for a few hours (or all day, if you'd like to prepare the fish in the morning).
2. Remove the fish from the fridge about 15 minutes before ready to cook.  Cut the tomatoes into large chunks, and add the olive oil, vinegar, basil, and shallots.  Season with salt and pepper, and allow to marinate while you prepare the fish.
3. Heat a non-stick grill pan, griddle, or large skillet over medium-high heat.  Spray with oil.  Place the fish on the pan, and cook until the pancetta is crispy, 3-4 minutes.  Flip the fish, and cook a further 3 minutes.  Check for doneness by poking into a piece of fish with a knife and fork, and continue to cook if the fish is not yet opaque on the inside.
4. Serve the fish topped with the marinated tomatoes and a squeeze of lemon juice.

5 comments:

  1. Mmhh, that must be really delicious. Love the pancetta!

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  2. U have a wonderful blog , jus loved the baked polenta recipe from ur prev post !!!
    Also a warm thanks for visiting my space n leaving in such a lovely comment. Hope to c u at little Food junction again .

    - Smita

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  3. I don't eat pancetta but do eat seafood. Still, I can imagine the pancetta gives this ah-mazing flavor. Looks really tasty!

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  4. The tomatoes are gorgeous, I think they are what I will miss most about summer! ;) What a delicious meal!

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  5. Yum, this is great. Love how the pancetta will baste the fish and keep it moist!

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