Kitchen Wizards: Taste of Italy Part 2 of 5

Branzino Arrosto – Roasted Sea Bass with fennel and olives – paired with Verdicchio.

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Okay, now we’re all revved up.  Last week I shared the first course from an Italian wine pairing class at Kitchen Wizards.  Today is Course Two.  Chef Herve made it very clear to the class that a fresh fish should…come with a head.  It also made it easier to slip the ingredients inside, see those listed below, that would make the dish flavorful.

A Taste of Italy

Roasted Branzino

(whole roasted sea bass serves 2)

1 bulb fennel

1 orange

2 lemons

½  cup plus 2 Tbsp. olive oil

½  cup calamata olives, pitted and  chopped

2 sprigs ea. sage, thyme and rosemary

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 two to 3 lb. Branzino, cleaned and scaled, with head and tail left on.

Pre-heat oven to 350˚

•                Remove some of the leafy greens from the fennel and place in a bowl.

•                Cut fennel in half and slice as thin as possible.
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Add to tops.

•                Zest the orange and 1 lemon and add to fennel.

Juice both and set aside.

•                Add ¼ olive oil, the olives, herbs and 1 tsp. of salt and ½ tsp. of pepper. Toss like a salad and set aside.

•                Pat fish dry, inside and out. Then rub with remaining olive oil. Salt and pepper inside and out.

•                Stuff cavity with the fennel salad and place on a foil covered baking sheet.
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•                Slice the remaining lemon and place, shingled, onto the fish.

•                Place baking sheet onto the middle rack in the oven and bake 20 minutes per pound or about 40 minutes total.

•                Add 2 Tbsp. of olive oil to the reserved juice to make a light dressing.

Add salt and pepper and serve on the side.