Pan-Seared Grouper with Roasted Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
• 12 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices
• Cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 4 (6-ounce) grouper fillets (about 1 inch thick)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Arrange bell pepper strips and tomato slices in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray; drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and Italian seasoning; stir to coat. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven.
3. Increase oven temperature to 400°.
4. Transfer tomato mixture to a food processor. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, vinegar, black pepper, and basil leaves; process until smooth. Spoon tomato mixture into a bowl. Cover and keep warm.
5. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Combine flour and cornmeal in a shallow dish. Sprinkle fish with 1/4 teaspoon salt; dredge in flour mixture. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes. Turn fish over; bake at 400° for 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve fish with tomato sauce; garnish with chopped fresh basil, if desired.