Fish with Curried Cucumber Tomato Water and Tomato Herb Salad

Name: Fish with Curried Cucumber Tomato Water and Tomato Herb Salad
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1 (1/2-lb) cucumber, peeled and chopped (1 1/2 cups); 1 1 (1/4-lb) tomato, chopped (3/4 cup); 1 1/4 teaspoon curry powder (preferably Madras); 1 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1 lemon; 1 1 lb assorted small heirloom tomatoes, halved (larger ones quartered); 1 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves; 1 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil; 1 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives; 1 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh lemon balm (optional); 1 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar (to taste); 1 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 6 (5- to 7-oz) mild white-fleshed fish fillets such as flounder, sea bass, or snapper; 1 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

From the kitchen of Carly

Delicate white fish sits in a pool of reduced curried cucumber tomato water, its subtle sweetness cutting through with a whisper of Madras spice. Fresh heirloom tomatoes and herbs scattered on top bring brightness and textural contrast to each bite.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

11 (1/2-lb) cucumber, peeled and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
11 (1/4-lb) tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)
11/4 teaspoon curry powder (preferably Madras)
11/4 teaspoon salt
11 lemon
11 lb assorted small heirloom tomatoes, halved (larger ones quartered)
11/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
12 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
11 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
12 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
11 teaspoon finely chopped fresh lemon balm (optional)
11/4 teaspoon black pepper
11/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar (to taste)
11/4 teaspoon salt
16 (5- to 7-oz) mild white-fleshed fish fillets such as flounder, sea bass, or snapper
11 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Purée cucumber, tomato, curry powder, and salt in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.
Line a fine-mesh sieve with a dampened paper towel and set over a large glass measure, then transfer cucumber mixture to sieve and let drain until liquid measures 2/3 cup, about 20 minutes.
If liquid measures less than 2/3 cup, gently squeeze paper towel over sieve until liquid totals 2/3 cup. Discard solids and transfer liquid to a 2- to 3-quart saucepan.
Boil cucumber tomato water until reduced to about 1/3 cup, then remove from heat and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
Cut peel, including all white pith, from lemon with a sharp paring knife. Working over a bowl, cut segments free from membranes, letting segments fall into bowl, then chop segments, reserving juice in a cup.
Gently toss lemon segments and reserved juice with remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in cooled cucumber tomato water.
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 500°F.
Rinse fish and pat dry. Brush fillets all over with oil and season with salt and pepper.
Bake fillets in 1 layer in a lightly oiled shallow baking pan until just cooked through, 4 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets.
Serve tomato herb salad on top of fish.