Matzo Crusted Fish with a Spicy Tomato-Corn Ragout

Several months ago I came across a fish I had never heard of or seen - Basa Swai. It is a white fish from Vietnam that I have cooked with a few times since first trying. My other basa recipes can be found here.

I wanted something light and summery, and what says summer more than sweet corn and fresh tomatoes? I prefer my fish breaded, so I went back to an idea from a previous recipe using matzo meal to coat the fish.

I came up with a Matzo Crusted Fish with a Spicy Tomato-Corn Ragout.

The Fish...

Ingredients

• 2 basa filets (or any light, white fish)
• 1 egg, beaten and mixed with approximately 2 tbsp milk
• 1 envelope matzo meal (I'm estimating it was 4 tbsp)
• A few shakes each of the following spices: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Cooking spray

Directions

• Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat; preheat oven to 375
• Rinse fish, pat dry. Dip in egg then matzo mixture. Transfer to hot pan and cook for 30-45 seconds on each side. Transfer to a baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake on 375 for just 5 minutes more, or until fish is done

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Spicy Tomato-Corn Ragout

I planned on using a jalapeno in this recipe, but when I started to prep realized I didn't have one. I still wanted the heat so I used some red pepper flakes and cayenne. Next time I will definitely use a jalapeno for both color and heat. I used this under the fish on the plate as well as spread over it once plated.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 c frozen sweet corn
• 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• Approximately 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes and a pinch or two of cayenne pepper
• Pinch or two of salt (to taste)
• 1/3 c chicken broth
• Handful chopped fresh spinach

Directions

• Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium high heat
• Add onions and garlic, saute 3-4 minutes
• Add corn, saute 1-2 minutes.
• Add spices and tomatoes; saute 1-2 minutes.
• Add broth and let simmer until most of the liquid has absorbed.
• Stir in spinach until wilted.

This ragout was so delicious - sweet from the corn, but had a nice amount of heat from the red pepper flakes. If you don't like heat, omit the red pepper flakes. I can see turning this into a more Mediterranean or Italian flavored dish by replacing the spicy ingredients with basil (fresh) and/or oregano.