FISH WITH SAFFRON AND GARLIC

3/4 pound film fish fillets

pinch of saffron threads

1 tablespoon boiling water

2 tablespoons butter

3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon ground fennel

1 tomato, diced

dash of salt and ground black pepper

lemon wedges

Rinse the fish and set aside.

Crumble the saffron threads into a small heatproof bowl, add the tablespoon of boiling water, and set aside.

Prepare the remaining ingredients. Melt the butter in a nonreactive skillet. Add the garlic and sauté for a minute or two, until the garlic is just golden but not brown. Stir in the lemon juice, fennel, tomatoes, and saffron solution. Add the fish fillets, spoon a little of the sauce over the fish, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges.

PER 6-OZ SERVING: 202 CALORIES, 23.2 G PROTEIN, 10.3 G FAT, 4.1 G CARBOHYDRATE, 408 MG SODIUM, 79 MG CHOLESTEROL.

TOTAL TIME

20 minutes

SERVINGS

2

MENU

Serve with couscous and a vegetable side dish such as Shredded Zucchini (see page 87).

Saffron imparts a golden hue and distinctive taste to this richly scented baked fish. Garnish it with a chopped fresh green herb such as chives, mint, or parsley.