Miss the sunny shores of the Mediterranean? Then make our Mediterranean Fish Gratin! This dish is a delightful fusion of flavours, combining various types of fish with aromatic herbs and a subtle hint of fennel seeds. As it bakes to perfection in individual ramekins, the panko breadcrumb and Parmesan topping add that irresistible golden touch. It's delicious, and not too heavy on calories either!
Heat olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the onions, celery and crushed fennel seeds and saute on low heat for 6 minutes. Then add the garlic and cook for another few minutes.
Add the tinned chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, mixed dried herbs and vinegar to the pan. Stir and leave to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce is thick and concentrated. Season with salt and pepper and stir chopped parsley into the sauce.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 200 C Fan.
Once the sauce is thick, add the fish pieces into it, cover with the lid and carry on cooking for 5 minutes. Do not stir the sauce at this point - you want to keep the fish chunks whole.
Spoon the fish stew into 350 ml ramekins or a pie dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together grated parmesan and breadcrumbs. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Scatter the mixture on top of the fish gratin and pop them in the oven for 20 minutes.
TIP: Place them on a baking tray or a piece of foil to avoid the sauce bubbling over and making a mess in your oven.