Roasted Sea Bass!

I want this for dinner every night!

I love roasted sea bass - where you have the fish monger clean the fish, but leave it whole so you can roast it that way.  I order this all the time at the restaurant Vai on the upper west side.  I asked the chef how he prepared it.  He grilled both sides of the fish and finishes it in the oven.  The waiter will present the whole fish at the table, then take it to the kitchen to filet.  They always come out perfectly.  My sea bass is delicious, but can end up looking like the dog's breakfast because it always falls apart when I try to filet it after cooking.  Then I saw a video on the NY Times on line site.  They say not to worry about it looking perfect.  I gave in last night and stopped trying to be such a perfectionist.   It didn't look all that bad - and it was delicious!

Be your own sous chef

You can infuse the sea bass with whatever flavors you feel like using.  I chose fresh oregano, tomatoes and lemon slices.  There's a world of difference between fresh and dry oregano.  The first time I came across fresh was at a roadside stand on the Amalfi coast.  Citarella has it and that's where I purchased it yesterday - it was only $1.99 for a package.  It's also important that you use plenty of salt and pepper inside and out the fish - the bass will stand up to it and the seasoning really brings out the flavor. 

I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: always act as your own sous chef and get all of the ingredients ready and have them handy before you start to cook.  I'm so much more relaxed that way - and prepping all of the ingredients is a ritual.  Why not enjoy a glass of wine while you chop?

Your blank canvas

When choosing a whole fish, always be sure to look to see if the eyes are clear.  Take a sniff - it shouldn't smell "fishy."  It should smell fresh and you should detect the sea - otherwise it's not fresh.

Fresh oregano, tomatoes, lemon and salt & pepper

I have roasted fish by placing the ingredients inside the cavity and sealing it shut.  Last night I let the ingredients peek through - they seemed to cook better that way.  The fish really took on the delightful tastes of the fresh tomato, lemon and oregano.

Finished product

Once you've place your ingredients in the cavity, put the fish in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. 

Broccoli rabe on the side

Meat in the cheeks is the best - two tiny morsels of deliciousness!

When the fish is done you need to remove the bones.  There's a long spine bone - the tip is just below the head and neck.  You can pull it out, carefully, in one fell swoop.  Check for other small bones and peel away the skin. Take a tiny spoon and dig out the cheek meat - it's delicious. 

Et viola!

Dig away a serving from the bones, top with the stuffing and enjoy!  While my dish wasn't as pretty as the one served at Vai - it was just as delicious.  I've even seen this served at Eataly whole and the diners picked away the flesh from the whole fish.  I like to prepare in the kitchen - but it's up to you - serve whichever way you like best.

Ingredients

1 lb - 1 1/2 lb whole sea bass per person

1 vine ripe tomato - cut in slices, then cut in half

1 lemon sliced horizontally

3 - 4 sprigs fresh oregano

2 tbspns extra virgin olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Method

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

Take fish, pat dry inside and out with paper towels

Add oil to fish - smear inside and out

Salt and pepper the inside and out with plenty of salt and pepper

Place the other ingredients inside the cavity

Place in oven-proof non-stick pan

Cook for 15 minutes

Remove from oven and pull spine bone away from fish

Check for other bones and place portion on plate

Top with the roasted tomatoes, oregano and lemons

Serve and enjoy!