Rustic Pesce All’Acqua Pazza – Southern Italian Poached Fish
A coastal classic, Pesce all’Acqua Pazza, or “Fish in Crazy Water,” is a simple yet flavorful dish where white fish is gently poached in a fragrant broth of tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. It’s a rustic, healthy meal packed with Mediterranean charm—perfect for a light, elegant dinner.
🍴 Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1½ cups water
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 fillets of firm white fish (like branzino, cod, or snapper)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Crusty bread, for serving
🔥 Instructions
Sauté the Base:
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté until fragrant—about 1 minute.
Add Tomatoes and Wine:
Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften and release their juices, around 5 minutes. Add the white wine, letting it reduce slightly.
Add Water and Simmer:
Pour in the water, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a gentle simmer.
Poach the Fish:
Nestle the fish fillets into the broth. Cover and simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Serve:
Gently remove the fish and ladle the broth and tomatoes over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Pesce All’Acqua Pazza
- 🐟 Nonstick Sauté Pan with Lid – Perfect for poaching delicate fish and reducing flavorful broth.
- 🍷 White Wine for Cooking – A dry and crisp wine to enhance your seafood dish.
- 🧄 Garlic Slicer – For evenly thin garlic slices that cook perfectly in oil.
- 🍅 Cherry Tomato Cutter Tool – Slice all your cherry tomatoes quickly and safely.
- 🍞 Crusty Italian Bread Loaf Pan – Bake the perfect rustic bread to soak up every drop of broth.
- 🍋 Citrus Wedge Squeezer – Add a burst of fresh lemon juice right before serving.
💡 Helpful Tip: For an even more aromatic broth, add a few sprigs of fresh thyme or oregano while the tomatoes simmer—just remove them before poaching the fish.