Mediterranean Fish Bake with Creamy “Cloudy” Sauce

🌊 Mediterranean Fish Bake with Creamy “Cloudy” Sauce

🐟 Ingredients

For the Fish & Vegetables:

• 4 white fish fillets (e.g. cod, haddock, or sea bass)

• 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons

• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cup black or Kalamata olives (pitted)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Fresh lemon wedges (for serving)

For the Creamy “Cloudy” Sauce:

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat preferred)

• 1/4 cup crème fraîche or sour cream

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1 clove garlic, finely grated

• 1 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1–2 tbsp cold water (to thin the sauce and give it a whipped texture)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the Oven & Veggies

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• In a large baking dish or sheet pan, toss zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and olives with olive oil, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Roast the Vegetables

• Roast the vegetable mixture in the oven for 15 minutes, until slightly softened and fragrant.

3. Add the Fish

• Remove dish from oven and gently nestle the fish fillets among the vegetables.

• Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the fish, season with salt, pepper, and a touch of lemon juice.

• Return to the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

4. Make the “Cloudy” Sauce

• In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, crème fraîche, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.

• Add 1–2 tablespoons of cold water and whisk vigorously or use a small handheld frother to make the sauce light and airy — hence the “cloudy” effect.

5. Serve

• Plate the roasted fish and vegetables.

• Spoon the “Cloudy” sauce generously over the top.

• Garnish with extra herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, and lemon wedges.

📝 Tips

• For extra richness, serve with couscous, quinoa, or warm pita.

• Want a spicy twist? Add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.

• Can’t find crème fraîche? Use all yogurt or mix in a little mayonnaise for extra body.