Mediterranean Fish with a Vegetable Tian
A tian is the Provencal name for an clay casserole dish (oven friendly). It is also the name used to describe a layered baked dish, which can be savoury or sweet.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine French
- 3 Large Ripe Tomatoes
- 4 Zucchinis
- 3 Large Yellow Onions
- olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Butter
- 2 Lemons
- Dry Fennel Seeds
- 6 Whole Fresh Fish Sea bass or sea bream (each between 300 to 400 gr.)
- Dry Fennel Branches
- 50 gr 1/4 cup Black Olives
Prepare the vegetable tian
Cut all the vegetables in similar sized slices.
In a dish, alternate rows of each type of vegetable holding them up as you move on.
Once finished, add some fennel seeds, salt, pepper and olive oil on the top of the vegetables.
Put in a pre-heated oven for 20 minutes at 200C° (400F) and an additional 40 minutes at 180C° (350F).
When the vegetables have lost their water and turn brown to a ‘confit’, the tian is ready to serve along with the fish.
Preparation for the fish
Ask your fish merchant to scale and clean the fish.
In the cavity each fish, stick your dry fennel branches.
Prepare your baking dish with a dozen slices of lemon and fennel branches.
Lay the fish in the pan. On each side, add oil, salt, pepper and chunks of butter on top.
Put the fish casserole in a pre-heated oven for 20 minutes at 200C° (400F). Check cooking status by opening the side of one or two fish.
Serve immediately with the vegetable tian.
Don't over cook your fish as it will dry out.
