Branzino With Herbs And Tomato Jam Recipes

PAN-SEARED BRANZINO WITH TOMATO AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the branzino fillets on paper towels and dry well. With a sharp knife, score the skin of each fillet by making three shallow cuts on a slight diagonal. Sprinkle the fillets on all sides with the salt.
• Add the oil to the hot pan; then add the fillets, skin side down, being sure to lay the fish away from you in the pan. Press gently on each fillet to make sure the skin has full contact with the pan. Allow the fish to cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Using a fish spatula, gently flip the fillets and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove the branzino to a platter, skin side up, and keep warm.
• To the hot pan, add the tomatoes, capers and olives. Cook for 1 minute, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the white wine, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Stir in the butter and parsley. Spoon the sauce over the branzino and serve.

PAN-SEARED BRANZINO WITH HERB SALSA

Steps:

• Mince the anchovies, capers, garlic and red pepper flakes together on a cutting board, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and mash into a paste using the flat side of a chef's knife. Transfer to a food processor along with the parsley, mint and marjoram. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil and process until smooth; transfer to a medium bowl.
• Toast the fennel seeds in a skillet over medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and crush with the bottom of a small skillet. Combine with 1/4 cup of the herb mixture and the herbes de Provence in a small bowl. Put the fish fillets in a shallow dish and brush with the fennel seed-herb mixture. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, add the lemon juice, bell pepper and cucumbers to the remaining herb mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Heat 2 large nonstick skillets over medium-high heat. Brush the excess marinade off the fish. Working in batches, add the fish to the skillets, skin-side up, and cook until browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the fillets, pressing with a spatula to sear the skin, and cook 2 more minutes. Serve with the herb salsa and lemon wedges.

TANGERINE AND HERB BRANZINO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Use paper towels to pat the whole fish dry. Score the skin of each branzino by making two shallow cuts on a slight diagonal on each side of the fish. Season each branzino inside and out with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Slice 1 tangerine crosswise into 8 rounds (discard any seeds). Halve and squeeze the other tangerine to get 1/4 cup juice.
• Stuff the cavity of each branzino with the sliced tangerine, oregano sprigs and rosemary sprigs. Close the belly slightly around the filling and tie loosely with a piece of butcher's string to help hold the filling inside.
• Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Working one at a time, place the fish in the pan and allow it to sear for 3 minutes, pressing down gently to ensure even browning and crispness. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the first side is golden-brown and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes longer, then flip the fish and repeat on the other side until the fish is golden-brown and crisp, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the fish to the prepared baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and repeat with the other fish. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook until the fish are cooked through and the flesh is flaky, about 8 minutes. Remove the fish from the oven and untie and discard the string. Let the fish to rest for 4 minutes.
• While the fish rests, in a small bowl whisk together the Dijon mustard, chopped oregano, tangerine juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 4 teaspoons olive oil. While the fish is still warm, drizzle the vinaigrette over the fish and serve.

ROASTED BRANZINO WITH LEMON AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pat fish dry; rub cavity and skin with oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with lemon slices and a few sprigs of thyme. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, standing fish upright (cavity-side down); anchor in place with 3 lemon wedges along each side. Scatter remaining thyme sprigs around fish.
• Roast until fish is just cooked through, 17 to 22 minutes, depending on size. Fillet fish and serve with roasted lemon wedges or one of the fish sauces.