Branzino Alla Max Recipes

BRANZINO WITH BROWN BUTTER AND ALMONDS ON A BED OF CRISPY KALE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the broiler.
• Drizzle the kale with a little EVOO and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Arrange on a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet and broil until crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Warm a serving platter in a 250 degree F oven.
• Heat 1 tablespoon EVOO in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper, then saute until just cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side. Douse the fish with the vermouth, then transfer to the platter and cover to keep warm.
• Return the skillet to the heat and toast the almonds over medium heat. Add the butter and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Grate the zest of the lemon and add it to the browned butter, then squeeze in the juice from half the lemon. Stir in the parsley.
• Arrange the fish on a bed of crispy kale. Slice the remaining lemon half into 4 thin rounds and place one on each piece of fish. Spoon the brown butter sauce and the almonds on top.

CRISPY ROASTED BRANZINI WITH BURST TOMATOES AND BUTTER BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) with a rack in the center of oven.
• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a high-sided skillet over medium. Add leek and carrot; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, thyme, and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add white wine and cook until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add chicken broth, beans, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until tomatoes burst and carrots are tender, about 25 minutes.
• While beans simmer, line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Rub fish with remaining 1 tablespoon oil; sprinkle evenly with salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place half of the lemon slices in fish cavities. Place remaining slices on the prepared baking sheet. Roll 2 large pieces of aluminum foil into logs and twist to prop up fish cavity-side down.
• Roast fish in the preheated oven until flesh is opaque and skin is crispy, about 25 minutes.
• Stir butter into bean mixture. Serve in shallow bowls with the roasted branzino and lemons. Sprinkle with more thyme leaves, and serve immediately with crusty bread.

BRANZINO WITH POLENTA, WILD MUSHROOMS AND WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Preheat a large saute pan with the canola oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Place the branzino in the pan skin-side down and cook until the skin is crispy, about 10 minutes. Flip the fish with a spatula and cook the other side for 1 minute. Set aside.
• Add the milk to a small pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, add the polenta and cook, stirring slowly, for 10 minutes, then add the mascarpone and 1 tablespoon butter. Cover and remove from the heat.
• Heat a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the remaining tablespoon butter, then the shallots and garlic, and cook until translucent. Break mushrooms by hand and add to the pan, then cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the white wine and cook for 10 more minutes. Stir in the sherry vinegar and remove from the heat.
• Place the polenta on the bottom of 2 plates, spoon the mushrooms over the polenta and place the branzino fillets on top. Garnish with the watercress, then drizzle with the olive oil and squeeze the lemon over the top.

BRANZINO WITH PUTTANESCA

Steps:

• For the puttanesca: To the bowl of a food processor, add the peppers, garlic, olives, capers, tomato paste, anchovy paste and salt. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. With the motor running, add 1 tablespoon water and the olive oil in a steady stream until emulsified and smooth. Pour the sauce into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• For the branzino: Dry the branzino fillets well with paper towels. Score the skin of each fillet three times with a sharp knife. Sprinkle with the salt.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lay 4 fillets, skin-side down, in the pan; press gently to ensure full contact with the pan. Cook until the skin is golden brown and the flesh is opaque at the edges, 2 minutes. Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 10 seconds; remove to a plate. Wipe out the pan and repeat with the remaining oil and fish.
• To serve, spread some sauce on each serving plate and shingle 2 fillets on top. Drizzle with a little more sauce if desired.