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Sicilian swordfish with olives and capers

This easy swordfish dish is a delicious combination of bright Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for so many occasions.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 552 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 small red onion Tropea, if possible, or 2 small shallots
  • 1 stem celery
  • 1 lb swordfish in steaks around 1in/2.5cm thick
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch pepper
  • 2 medium tomatoes (2 medium is approx 7oz/200g)
  • 2 ½ oz pitted green olives (I used castelvetrano)
  • 1 oz capers drained
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or virgin olive oil)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Peel and halve the onion, then cut into thin slices. Cut larger slices in half or smaller, as needed. Halve the celery lengthwise then cut into slices. Finely dice the garlic.
  2. Cut the swordfish into pieces through the skin so that they are around 2 - 3in wide (5 - 7cm, see photos). Sprinkle lightly all over with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the tomatoes in a heatproof bowl and pour over boiling water. Prick the tomatoes with the tip of a sharp knife in a few places on different sides then leave a minute or two. Once the skin starts to split and peel back, peel away the skin (you can do this in or out of the water, as suits).
  4. Roughly chop the tomatoes, removing any tough core as you go. Save all of the juices. Cut the olives into quarters.
  5. Pick out a skillet/frying pan, ideally non-stick that is large enough to hold all of the pieces of fish with a bit of space around them. You will also need a lid to cover it.
  6. Warm around half of the oil in the skillet/frying pan over a medium-high heat then add the swordfish. Cook for around a minute or two on each side to sear it, but it should still feel slightly soft (and so not cooked right through) inside. Remove the fish from the skillet and set aside.
  7. Add the onion and celery to the skillet and add the remaining oil. Cook for around 4 - 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until they are softened. Don't let them brown - reduce the heat if they appear to be cooking too quickly and/or add additional oil, if needed.
  8. Add the garlic, cook a minute, then olives and capers. Stir and cook a minute more, then add the tomatoes and their juices. Stir to mix everything then cook for around 4 - 5 minutes to start to cook down the tomatoes, reducing the heat if needed so that it simmers rather than boils.
  9. Add back the swordfish, nestling the pieces in the sauce (it is fine if they don't touch the bottom). Add around 1tbsp of water and cover the skillet with a lid. Reduce the heat to low so that the sauce is simmering gently. Leave to cook for around 10 minutes, checking now and then that the sauce hasn't become dry (add a little extra water if needed).

Notes

  • Note the photos and video show a half quantity but the method is the same. 
  • You can use black olives in this instead, but try to use ones that don't have too strong a flavor. I used castelvetrano olives which work well as they are 'meaty' and not too briny. 
  • You can use canned/tinned tomatoes in this but the flavor and texture is not as good so fresh are better, if at all possible.

Nutrition Information

Calories 552kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 13g (4%) Protein 47g (94%) Fat 35g (54%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Monounsaturated Fat 21g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 150mg (50%) Sodium 1156mg (48%) Potassium 1348mg (39%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1459IU (29%) Vitamin C 22mg (24%) Calcium 64mg (6%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 552

% Daily Value*

Calories 552kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 13g 4%
Protein 47g 94%
Fat 35g 54%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Monounsaturated Fat 21g 105%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 150mg 50%
Sodium 1156mg 48%
Potassium 1348mg 29%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1459IU 29%
Vitamin C 22mg 24%
Calcium 64mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.