A bright Pacific Northwest dinner that leans into March seasonality in Washington: flaky rockfish roasted over sweet fennel and potatoes, with a quick citrusy cabbage-apple slaw for crunch. It feels fresh, a little elegant, and still totally weeknight-practical.
Details
Ingredients
- Fresh Rockfish Fillet Pacific Caught 1 lb $6.99/lb sale
- Fennel 1 bulb $5.49 each
- Red potatoes 12 oz $1.29/lb
- Green cabbage 1/2 lb $1.49/lb
- Small Fuji apple 1 apple $0.99 each
- Lemon juice or lemon 2 tablespoons juice or 1 lemon $2.50 bottle or $1.69 each
- Parsley 2 tablespoons chopped $1.69 each
- Yellow onion 1/2 medium onion $1.49/lb or $3.49 bag sale
- Garlic 2 cloves $1.50 each
- Olive oil, salt, pepper as needed pantry
Instructions
- Prep 1 lb Fresh Rockfish Fillet Pacific Caught ($6.99/lb sale) by patting it dry and cutting into 2 equal portions if needed. Heat the oven to 425Β°F and line a sheet pan or small roasting pan.
- Slice 12 oz red potatoes ($1.29/lb) into 1/2-inch pieces. Trim and slice 1 fennel bulb ($5.49 each), reserving a few fronds for garnish if you like. Slice 1/2 medium yellow onion ($1.49/lb or from the $3.49 sale bag). Mince 2 garlic cloves ($1.50 each bulb).
- Toss the 12 oz red potatoes, sliced fennel bulb, 1/2 medium yellow onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread on the pan and roast for 15 minutes.
- While the vegetables roast, shred 1/2 lb green cabbage ($1.49/lb) and thinly slice 1 small Fuji apple ($0.99 each). Toss with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley ($1.69 each bunch), 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. Let the slaw sit and soften slightly.
- After the vegetables have roasted 15 minutes, push them around a bit and place the 1 lb rockfish on top. Rub the fish with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and a little extra chopped parsley if desired.
- Return the pan to the oven and roast the rockfish and vegetables for 8 to 12 minutes more, until the fish flakes easily and the potatoes are tender.
- Serve the roasted rockfish over the fennel-potato mixture with the cabbage-apple slaw on the side. Spoon any pan juices over the fish and garnish with fennel fronds or more parsley.
Cook time: 35 minutes
Estimated cost: $15-19
Health notes: About 520-620 calories per serving. High in lean protein, rich in fiber from cabbage, fennel, potato, and apple, and lighter than a cream- or butter-heavy fish dinner. To keep sodium moderate, season assertively with herbs and citrus rather than extra salt.
Drink pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is the best match for the anise note of fennel and the sweet-tart slaw; Pinot Gris also works beautifully for a softer, orchard-fruit-driven pairing.