Acqua Pazza
Acqua Pazza literally translates to “crazy water” in Italian, referring to all of the bold spices and flavors in the sauce! My version isn’t insanely spicy, but it’s full of Italian flavor.
Photo Credit: Lindsey Galey
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Serving size:
Serves 4
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 bulb fennel, halved and sliced thin
1 red onion, halved and sliced thin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 cup white wine
One 14-ounce can cherry tomatoes
1 cup water
2 tablespoon capers
Two 6-ounce filets striped sea bass, skin removed (see Cook’s Note)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
Extra-virgin olive oil, to finish
Crusty bread, for serving
Instructions:
This recipe originated on Giada in Italy. Epsiode: Dino’s 100th Birthday Party.
Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, garlic, fennel, onion, and pepper flakes to the skillet. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, with a wooden spoon until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Deglaze with the wine and stir, scraping up any bits form the bottom of the scraping. Add the tomatoes, water and capers. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, sprinkle the filets with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slide the fish filets into the broth and cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook until the fish is firm and opaque all the way through, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the lid and spoon some of the sauce over the fish. Sprinkle with parsley, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the broth.
Cook’s Note: Any white fish will work for this such as sole or halibut.
Article by Giada De Laurentiis