Capers With Fish

Veracruz, on Mexico’s east coast, is rich in seafood. Jewels from the Gulf of Mexico include red snapper, shrimp, crab and crayfish the size of Maine lobsters.

Is it any wonder that huachinango a la Veracruzana (red snapper Veracruz style) is the region’s best-known dish and one of the most famous in Mexico?

Every cook has a secret recipe, although the dish usually includes olives and capers, indicating a Spanish influence. Some preparations are soupy, like a stew. More typically the fish is baked whole or as a piece and topped with the olives and capers in a chile and tomato sauce.

Bennett is the author of “Dinner for Two” (Barron’s, 1994).

FISH VERACRUZ STYLE (UNDER AN HOUR)

1 large shallot, peeled and minced

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for greasing pan

1 cup diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons capers

2 tablespoons chopped pitted green olives

Salt

Freshly ground white pepper

1 (10-ounce) snapper or grouper fillet, cut into 2 pieces

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

Lemon-Scented Rice

Saute shallot, bell pepper and jalapeno in olive oil in medium pan until peppers are tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, capers, olives and salt and pepper to taste and cook until pulpy, about 5 minutes.

Place fish in oiled baking dish. Spoon on tomato sauce. Bake at 400 degrees until fish is white and firm throughout, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with Lemon-Scented Rice.

2 servings. Each serving without rice:

194 calories; 393 mg sodium; 38 mg cholesterol; 8 grams fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 25 grams protein; 1.12 grams fiber.

LEMON-SCENTED RICE

3/4 cup rice

1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water

Grated zest of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon minced jalapeno

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Salt

Combine rice, chicken broth and zest in medium pan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 18 minutes. Stir in jalapeno, lemon juice and salt to taste.

2 servings. Each serving:

286 calories; 734 mg sodium; 1 mg cholesterol; 1 gram fat; 59 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams protein; 0.41 gram fiber.