LEATHERJACKETS WITH PISTACHIO & OLIVE CRUST

The breadcrumb topping can appear quite dry when it’s first made, but press it gently onto the fish and you’ll find that it holds its shape and forms a deliciously moist crust when baked.

SERVES
4
PREP TIME
15 mins
COOK TIME
20 mins
ALTERNATIVE SPECIES
ALTERNATIVE SPECIES:

INGREDIENTS

4 medium Leatherjackets, heads and skin off
50g butter
1 red onion, diced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
½ cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon lemon thyme leaves, chopped
1 orange, zest grated, juiced
½ cup small black olives, pitted and chopped
1½ teaspoons finely shredded sage leaves
½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1½ cups fresh breadcrumbs (see notes)
Salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Boiled potatoes, to serve
Green salad, to serve
 

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180°C. 

Trim the fins and tail off each fish using kitchen scissors, pat dry with paper towel. Oil a heavy baking dish and arrange the fish, thick-end to the edge of the pan, in a single layer. 

Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until they are translucent and soft. Add pistachios, thyme, orange zest, olives, sage and parsley and cook until fragrant. Remove from the heat, stir in the breadcrumbs, orange juice, salt and pepper. 

Spoon the crust onto the fish in an even layer, pressing gently to form a firm coating. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until flesh flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Serve with boiled potatoes and green salad.  

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© Sydney Fish Market, 2026

Developed with the assistance of grant funds from the Eat More NSW Seafood grant program, led by NSWDPI and NSWSIC.

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