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Pike Perch with Mediterranean Vegetables

Pike Perch with Mediterranean Vegetables
© Constantin Fischer

Pike Perch with Mediterranean Vegetables

Fish

Pike-perch, also known as zander, is a delicious fish. Here chef Constantin Fischer sets it off with an aromatic tomato sauce full of flavours from the Med, and serves a zesty dip made with salty feta.

Constantin Fischer

For the vegetables

Ingredients (4 servings)
1 red bell pepper, cored, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, core removed, diced
1 courgette, core removed, diced
1 aubergine, diced
1 can tomatoes
1 garlic clove, peeled and halved
500 ml vegetable stock
100 g Ligurian olives
50 g pickled capers, rinsed and drained
100 g chorizo, diced
1 3–4cm piece cinnamon stick
3 stalk(s) rosemary
2 tablespoon(s) sugar
salt
olive oil, for drizzling
1 tablespoon(s) peanut oil

For the sauce

Ingredients (4 servings)
100 g feta cheese, crumbled
100 g sour cream
50 g watercress leaves, plus extra to serve
1 tablespoon(s) honey mustard

For the pike perch

Ingredients (4 servings)
4 pike perch fillets, fine bones removed
3–4 tablespoon(s) flour, for dusting
1 tablespoon(s) coconut oil

Preparation:

  • Heat the peanut oil in a heavy-based pan (use one with a lid) over a medium heat. When hot, add the aubergine and cook, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes. 
  • Add the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add the sugar and stir, allowing it to caramelise for a further 1–2 minutes.
  • Whizz the tomatoes in a blender or food processor, then add to the pan with the aubergine. Pour in the vegetable stock and simmer on a low heat for about 20 minutes.
  • Add the chorizo, the red and yellow pepper, courgette and cinnamon stick to the pan. Bring to the boil and then add the olives, capers and rosemary.
  • Leave to simmer for 25 minutes, covered with the lid. Taste and season with salt and add a little olive oil.
  • For the sauce, mash the feta, sour cream and mustard in a bowl to a fine paste.
  • Stir in the watercress, drizzle in some olive oil and season with salt, if needed.
  • For the pike perch, salt the skin of the fillets and dust with the flour.
  • Heat the coconut oil in a frying pan. When hot, add the fillets, skin-side down, and cook until the skin is crisp. Carefully turn, fry briefly, then set the pan aside to stand for a minute.
  • Serve the fish with the vegetables and sauce, sprinkled with the extra watercress leaves.

Have a look at the gallery below for tips on preparation.

Constantin Fischer
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