Whole Fish Baked with Tomatoes and Sweet and Hot Pepper

This dish, a whole fish marinated with lemon, topped with a pepper and tomato mixture, then baked, is typical of the Middle Eastern Jewish community. It’s similar to the Greek and Turkish fish plaki, as they are both prepared with olive oil, lemon and tomatoes. This one is spicier than most, though, and served hot, whereas the plaki-style fish is generally served at room temperature.

Begin the meal with a selection of appetizers, and accompany the fish with a pilaf int