Steamed white fish with a lemon and caper butter

Sometimes the meals I crave most are the ones that feel both comforting and light at the same time.

Soft steamed potatoes, flaky white fish, bright green broccoli, and a warm lemony butter spooned over everything at the end. It is simple food, but the kind that feels genuinely restorative after a long day.

I love recipes like this because nothing is overly complicated. The vegetables steam gently, the fish stays delicate and tender, and the sauce comes together in a few minutes while everything else cooks.

The lemon and capers cut through the richness of the butter beautifully, while the tomatoes soften into something sweet and almost jammy. It feels fresh, nourishing and comforting all at once.

Honestly, it is one of those dinners I could happily eat on repeat.

Serves 2

Ingredients

Fish + Vegetables

2 basa fillets

500g baby potatoes

1 head broccoli, cut into florets

Handful rocket

Lemony Tomato Caper Butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp butter

1 spring onion, finely sliced

1 garlic clove, grated

Handful cherry tomatoes, halved

1 tbsp capers

Zest of ½ lemon

Squeeze of lemon juice

Salt and black pepper

Optional

Fresh parsley, dill or chives

Toasted almonds or pepitas

Method

Place the baby potatoes into the bottom steamer basket and steam for 12–15 minutes, or until tender.

Add the broccoli florets for the final 4–5 minutes so they stay bright green and lightly tender.

Place the basa fillets into the top steamer basket. Season lightly with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, then steam for 6–8 minutes until flaky and opaque.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and butter in a small pan. Add the spring onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the cherry tomatoes and capers and cook for 3–4 minutes until the tomatoes soften and become slightly jammy.

Finish with lemon zest, lemon juice and black pepper.

Transfer the potatoes onto plates or a serving dish and lightly crush with a fork. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Top with the broccoli and fish, then spoon over the warm lemon and caper butter.

Finish with rocket, herbs and optional toasted nuts or seeds.

Serving Suggestions

This works beautifully on its own, but you could also serve it with rice, quinoa or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Sea bass, barramundi or trout also work really well here if you want to switch up the fish.

A Mindful Moment

There is something calming about steaming food slowly.

No rushing, no heavy sauces, no complicated process. Just gentle cooking that allows the ingredients to stay soft, fresh and full of flavour.

Meals like this remind me that comfort does not always need to come from richness or excess.

Sometimes it comes from warmth, simplicity, and the feeling of eating something that leaves you feeling cared for afterwards.