The Stanley Tucci Recipe That Inspired a Kiss From Iron Man

Earlier this summer, actor and acclaimed home cook Stanley Tucci posted a video to his Instagram that included a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a large meal he was preparing. Several pans were steaming on Tucci's cooktop and although he hinted at a dinner party by saying, “I’m cooking for 12 people. Hence the four pans,” there was no mention of a guest list.

It wasn’t until days later when I stumbled across Oppenheimer star Robert Downey Jr’s Instagram feed that I put two and two together. Apparently, Tucci and his wife, Felicity Blunt, hosted RDJ and several others at their London home.

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Although I wasn't yet a follower of RDJ when I randomly stumbled upon his reel, I totally am now. The Sinatra soundtrack of, “When You're Smiling" caught my attention first, followed by the multiple Le Creuset pans that Tucci showcases in his fabulous kitchen. I immediately hit "play again" and repeatedly watched Tucci prepare pasta and fish at the big event.

The whimsical reel includes RDJ trying the fish dish that Tucci had made and reacting with an enthusiastic fist pump and ends with the RDJ kissing Tucci on the cheek after the fantastic dinner. Even though I hadn't tasted a bite, I felt the love of this delicious dinner come through in this video.

Related: 21 Best One-Pan Fish Dinners

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It's been a few weeks since I saw the meal in my feed and I haven't for a moment stopped thinking or talking about it. In Tucci's video he talks about the main course, Cod alla Livornese, which is what I suspect impressed RDJ so much. It stuck with me, too, so I knew I had to head to the kitchen to give it a try.

What Is Cod alla Livornese?

Cod alla Livornese is a well-known fish dish that originated in Livorno, a port city in Tuscany. The phrase "alla Livornese" usually means that the main protein was cooked in a fresh tomato sauce that's flavored with garlic and capers and olives. Cod or its salted counterpart, baccala, is the fish you typically see prepared this way.

What Do You Need to Make Cod alla Livornese?

While I don’t know the exact recipe Tucci used, I was able to pull together the ingredients he mentions: cod, fresh tomatoes, capers, both black and green olives, onion, basil and garlic along with some white wine. Although many Italian recipes lean on canned tomatoes, as Tucci mentions in the video, fresh tomatoes are a key ingredient in this recipe.

How To Make Cod alla Livornese

This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and offers a true taste of the Mediterranean. Start by sautéing onions and garlic in a large pan for a few minutes before adding lots of fresh cherry tomatoes.

As the tomatoes begin to break down, add some white wine and cover with a lid, letting everything simmer together to create the sauce. Next, add the cod to the pan and cook the fish in the sauce until it's just opaque in the center, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes depending on the size of your fish.

The final step is to add the olives along with a handful of briny capers and cook for another minute or two so the flavors can meld. Just before serving, top the fish with some fresh basil.

My Honest Opinion of Cod alla Livornese

I'll admit I knew in advance I was going to love this dish. I mean how could I not? Fresh tomatoes, olives and capers are three of my favorite things. I wasn't sure my family would enjoy the dish as much as I did, but I'm happy to report that everyone, even the pickiest of the bunch, absolutely loved the combination of flavors.

The sauce tasted like it has been simmering all day, but the entire dish takes less than 30 minutes to make. It's easy enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for Stanley Tucci to serve to RDJ. After making the dish, I can understand RDJ's enthusiastic reaction and Cod all Livornese will definitely be added to my regular dinner rotation.

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