Mediterranean Baked Fish

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and fish
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Place them in a lightly oiled baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer.
2. Sauté the aromatics
   Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Create the Mediterranean topping
   Add the sliced bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another 2 minutes until the tomatoes begin to release their juices.
4. Season the mixture
   Remove the skillet from heat and stir in half of the fresh oregano and parsley. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. Assemble the dish
   Spoon the vegetable mixture evenly over the fish fillets. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the top.
6. Bake the fish
   Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
7. Finish and serve
   Sprinkle the remaining fresh herbs over the baked fish. Serve immediately with crusty bread, rice, or roasted potatoes to soak up the flavorful sauce.