FISH WITH CURRIED CUCUMBER TOMATO WATER AND TOMATO HERB SALAD

Fish with Curried Cucumber Tomato Water and Tomato Herb Salad image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

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1 (1/2-lb) cucumber, peeled and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 (1/4-lb) tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)
1/4 teaspoon curry powder (preferably Madras)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 lemon
1 lb assorted small heirloom tomatoes, halved (larger ones quartered)
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh lemon balm (optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 (5- to 7-oz) mild white-fleshed fish fillets such as flounder, sea bass, or snapper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

Purée cucumber, tomato, curry powder, and salt in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.
Line a fine-mesh sieve with a dampened paper towel and set over a large glass measure, then transfer cucumber mixture to sieve and let drain until liquid measures 2/3 cup, about 20 minutes.
If liquid measures less than 2/3 cup, gently squeeze paper towel over sieve until liquid totals 2/3 cup. Discard solids and transfer liquid to a 2- to 3-quart saucepan.
Boil cucumber tomato water until reduced to about 1/3 cup, then remove from heat and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
Cut peel, including all white pith, from lemon with a sharp paring knife. Working over a bowl, cut segments free from membranes, letting segments fall into bowl, then chop segments, reserving juice in a cup.
Gently toss lemon segments and reserved juice with remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in cooled cucumber tomato water.
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 500°F.
Rinse fish and pat dry. Brush fillets all over with oil and season with salt and pepper.
Bake fillets in 1 layer in a lightly oiled shallow baking pan until just cooked through, 4 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness of fillets.
Serve tomato herb salad on top of fish.