Who hasn't enjoyed a delicious plate of bonito in tomato sauce? This emblematic dish of Basque cuisine needs little introduction, right?
The truth is, the flavor of the tomato perfectly complements that of the fish—they're made for each other! In our recipe, we've opted to grill the bonito, which is much lighter. Another way to prepare it is to cut the fish into chunks and fry them after coating them in flour.
The main recommendation, besides using good quality ingredients, is to avoid ready-made sauces. Especially those made with industrially produced fried tomato sauce, as they will mask the flavor of the fish. It's best to make it at home. There are several ways to do this: with just tomatoes, with added onion, with peppers, or even with a touch of chili pepper.
The sauce can be left as is, with chunks of fish, or, as we present it here, you can blend it for a smooth texture. The choice is yours!
Recipe Information
- Preparation time : 10 minutes
- Cooking time : 35 minutes
- Total time : 45 minutes
- Servings : 4
- Category : main course
- Type of cuisine : Basque
- Calories : 110 kcal per 100 g
Ingredients for bonito with tomato (serves 4)
- 600g of bonito
- 800g of tomato (fresh or canned)
- 1 Italian green pepper
- 2 onions
- 3 or 4 cloves of garlic
- 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
- Sugar (optional)
- Ground black pepper
- Salt
How to make bonito with tomato
We begin preparing the recipe by seasoning the bonito with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the fish on both sides. Cook until it has a little color. Don't overcook it, or it will dry out. Remove and set aside.
Finely chop the onions and bell pepper. In the same oil used to brown the tuna, add the onion and bell pepper and sauté over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until very tender. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Meanwhile, peel and chop the garlic. Add it to the pan when the onion and bell pepper are tender and mix well.
We wash and chop the tomatoes. We crush them and pass them through a fine stainless steel sieve to remove any remaining skin and seeds. We add them to the pan and season with salt and pepper.
We let it cook for about 20 minutes, until the volume has reduced by half.
Once reduced, we can blend the sauce so the onion and pepper are no longer noticeable. We taste and adjust the salt and pepper. If necessary, we can balance the acidity with a little sugar. We add the tuna and let everything simmer together for a couple of minutes.
To serve, we can sprinkle it with chopped parsley. We'll accompany it with French Fries or white rice, and don't forget to have some good bread on hand. It can also be stored for the next day, as it's one of those dishes that develops a lot of flavor as it rests.
Easy-to-prepare summary
- Season the bonito with salt and pepper, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat, brown the fish on both sides and remove
- In the same oil, sauté the chopped onions and pepper for about 10 minutes over medium heat, add the chopped garlic and mix well
- Crush and sieve the tomato and add it to the pan
- Season with salt and pepper and cook for 20 minutes until reduced by half, then blend if desired.
- Taste, adjust the salt and pepper, and if necessary, correct the acidity with a little sugar
- Add the bonito back in and let it all cook together for a couple of minutes.
- Serve sprinkled with parsley or let it rest until the next day
30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home
If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.
Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.
For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.
When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.
For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.
Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.
And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.
More Delicious Cooking Recipes for Family
Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.
The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.
For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.
When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.
I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.
Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.
For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.
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