Eye for a Recipe

This dish from Bon Appetit can be made with regular cod, black cod or any other firm white fish. Mix up the chermoula — a Moroccan sauce — and spread it over the fish. Sprinkle some cherry tomatoes over and bake until the fish is done and the tomatoes are beginning to burst. Colourful and delicious!

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the tomato paste and herbs for additives and colour. Look for a red wine vinegar with no added sulfites, such as Eden Organic brand.

Make the chermoula

Spread chermoula over fish and then scatter tomatoes over

Roast until fish is done and tomatoes are soft and starting to burst

Slow-roasted cod with red chermoula

Ingredients:

¼ bunch cilantro, leaves and stems separated, stems finely chopped

1 Fresno chile, seeded if desired, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely grated

¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil

1 tablespoon (15 ml) tomato paste

1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) crushed red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) honey

¼ teaspoon (1 ml) ground allspice

1 tablespoon (15 ml) Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar, plus more for drizzling

1½ pounds (680 g) skin-on black cod or cod fillet

4 cups (1 L) cherry tomatoes, divided

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 300° F (148° C) Mix cilantro stems, chile, garlic, oil, tomato paste, paprika, red pepper flakes, honey, allspice, and 1 Tbsp. (15 ml) vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside 3 Tbsp. (45 ml) chermoula for serving.

Place fish in a 3-qt. (2.8 L) shallow baking dish. Cut 2 cups (500 ml) of tomatoes in half and scatter around fish along with remaining whole tomatoes. Spoon remaining chermoula over tomatoes and fish, spreading across the surface with the back of the spoon. Season with salt and pepper and roast until fish is cooked through and tomatoes are soft and some have burst, 20–30 minutes.

Transfer fish to a platter, breaking into large pieces. Remove and discard skin. Spoon tomatoes and roasting juices over and around fish. Top with reserved chermoula, then cilantro leaves; drizzle with more vinegar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 4.

From Bon Appetit

This ratatouille recipe from Style at Home is a great way to use up the tomatoes and zucchini in your late-summer garden. I also added some leftover eggplant. Use a canned or jarred pasta sauce, your favourite homemade version, or make this one from Mario Batali.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

If you use a purchased tomato sauce, check it for preservatives. Make sure your dried herbs don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Slice tomatoes and zucchini (I also used eggplant)

Cover bottom of dish with tomato sauce

Layer tomatoes and vegetables over sauce and bake until tender

Ingredients:

½ cup (125 ml) pasta sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste

¼ tsp (1 ml) each dried oregano and pepper flakes

2 small green or yellow zucchini sliced ⅛-inch thick (0.32 cm)

1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

½ tsp (2 ml) salt

¼ tsp (1 ml) pepper

1 small plum tomato sliced ⅛-inch thick (0.32 cm)

2 tbsp (30 ml) thinly sliced fresh basil

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425 F (210 C). Spread pasta sauce in bottom of 5- cup (1.25 L) oval casserole dish. Stir in tomato paste and half of oregano and hot pepper flakes.

In large bowl toss together zucchini, tomato, oil, salt, pepper and rest of dried spices.

Arrange zucchini and tomato slices in casserole dish in overlapping, concentric circles. Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the zucchini is tender, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with basil before serving. Serves 4.

From Style at Home