¼cupOilPlus 3 Tablespoons; choose your preferred cooking oil
6clovesGarlicPeeded and thinly sliced; powder or minced garlic also works
1cupCrushed TomatoesCanned
2cupsWater
SaltTo taste
Ground Black PepperTo taste
3poundsMonkfishFillets (eight 6-ounce fillets)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a large skillet, warm ¼ cup of oil. Add the sliced garlic and cook slowly over very low heat, shaking the skillet, until the garlic is deep golden, 15 minutes. Remove about ¼ cup of garlic slices to a plate and reserve. Add the tomatoes and cook over moderately high heat for 1 minute.
Add the water and simmer until the sauce has reduced to 1½ cups, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
In a very large skillet, heat the 3 Tablespoons of oil. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Cook over high heat until browned on the bottom, 2 minutes. Turn the fish, transfer to the over, and roast until just cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Transfer the fish to a large, warmed platter. Pour any juices from the skillet into the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Spoon the sauce onto plates and set the fish on top.
Optional: sprinkle the fried garlic over the fish before serving.