Brill Provençale 

This classic French dish combines delicate brill fillets with a robust Provençal sauce of tomatoes, garlic, olives, and fresh herbs.

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 2 brill fillets (approx. 150-200g each)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 200g canned chopped tomatoes (or 2 fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced). 
• 50ml dry white wine
• 50g black olives (Kalamata or Niçoise), sliced
• 1 tsp capers (optional)
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Serve with sliced baby courgettes which have been cut with a mandoline and a spoonful of small cubes of chopped tomato as a garnish.

Equipment Needed

• Cutting board and knife
• Large non-stick frying pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Saucepan or small pot
• Fish spatula or regular spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Serving plates

Preparation and Cooking Times

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 20 – 25 minutes
• Total time: approx. 30 minutes

Preparation

1. Prepare the Sauce:
   • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
   • Sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
   • Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the mixture to reduce slightly.
   • Add the white wine, olives, capers (if using), thyme, and parsley. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then reduce the heat to low.
2. Cook the Brill:
   • Pat the brill fillets dry with kitchen paper and season with salt and pepper.
   • In a large non-stick frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
   • Add the brill fillets, skin-side down, and cook for 3-4 minutes until the edges are golden. Carefully flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
3. Assemble the Dish:
   • Place each fillet on a warm plate and spoon the Provençal sauce generously over the top.
   • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Serving Suggestions

Brill Provençale pairs beautifully with crusty bread, roasted new potatoes, or steamed green beans for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Protein: 31g
• Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Sugars: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 640mg