Pan Roasted Mediteranean Sea Bass Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN PAN SEARED SEA BASS RECIPE WITH GARLIC BELL PEPPER MEDLEY

Steps:

• Take the fish out of the fridge about 20 minutes before cooking. Sprinkle with salt on both sides and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the spices to make the spice mixture. Set aside for now.
• In a medium-sized skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering but not smoking.
• Add the bell peppers, shallots, and garlic. Season with salt and 1 tsp of the spice mixture you prepared earlier. Cook, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes or until the peppers have softened. Turn the heat to lowest, and stir in the chopped olives. Leave on low heat as you prepare the fish.
• Pat fish dry and season with the remaining spice mixture on both sides as well.
• In a large skillet, preferably cast iron, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add the fish pieces (you can reduce heat to medium, if needed). Push down on the middle (thickest part) for 30 seconds or so. Cook fish on one side, undisturbed, until nicely browned, about 4 to 6 minutes. Using a spatula, carefully turn fish over and cook on other side for 3-4 minutes until nicely browned as well. (Important Note- look for browned edges before you turn it over. If parts of the fish are stuck, you should be able to carefully scrape it with the spatula and turn. But, if the fish is entirely stuck, it's not ready to be turned over. Leave it for a little bit. It should release when ready.)
• Remove fish from heat, immediately drizzle lemon juice. Serve hot with the bell pepper medley spooned on top. Add a side of cooked pearl couscous or rice, if you like. Or add a gluten-free side of your choice. Enjoy!

ROSEMARY AND LIME ROASTED SEA BASS WITH MEDITERRANEAN SALSA

Steps:

• Prepare the Mediterranean Salsa: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss to mix well. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend before serving or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse the fish well under cold running water (to make sure the cavity is clean of any entrails) and pat it dry. With a sharp knife, make 4 deep diagonal incisions down to the bone on each side of the fish. Sprinkle the cavity with salt and pepper. Lay the onion rings, lime rounds, and rosemary sprigs in the cavity. Close the fish. Insert the garlic slivers into the incisions.
• Tie the fish together in 3 or 4 places with butcher's twine to close the cavity. Place the fish on a bed of rosemary branches (or a rack) set in a large roasting pan. Rub the fish with the olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the fish until completely cooked through, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer the fish to a large platter and remove the twine, top with the Mediterranean Salsa. You can also serve this fish on a bed of spinach or arugula leaves with a side of warm orzo tossed with a little chopped fresh parsley and olive oil.