Seared Branzino With Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipes

BRANZINO EN PAPILLOTE WITH CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• For the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat a large pot of generously salted water over medium-high heat and prepare an ice bath with a few pinches of salt. When the water comes to a boil, blanch the cauliflower florets until just cooked, about 2 minutes. Immediately shock in the ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
• For the fish: Combine the ground fennel seed, olives, cherry tomatoes, celery, lemon juice, shallot, fennel, zucchini, a drizzle of good finishing oil, red pepper flakes and some salt in a medium bowl.
• Cut 2 large sheets of parchment paper into heart shapes and brush the paper with olive oil, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Arrange half of the vegetable mixture on one piece. Top with a piece of fish, then top with two lemon wheels and some fennel fronds. Repeat with the remaining vegetables, fish, lemon wheels and fronds on the other piece of parchment. Fold and crisply crease each heart into a half-heart, enclosing the fish and vegetables inside but leaving a small opening on one end. Pour 2 tablespoons wine into the openings on each packet, then finish enclosing the packets tightly. Place the packets on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 7 to 8 minutes.
• For the cauliflower: Meanwhile, coat the bottom of a cold, large skillet with a decent amount of olive oil. Add 3 cloves garlic and 1 anchovy fillet. Put the skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the garlic is golden brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove and discard the garlic from the skillet. Add the panko and cook, stirring in the warm oil, until golden and toasty, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the parsley, toss to combine and transfer the mixture to a plate.
• Wipe out the skillet, add more oil to coat, and place back over medium-high heat. Add the Calabrian chile paste, remaining 2 cloves garlic and 1 anchovy fillet and stir to combine. Cook until the garlic is golden brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove and discard the garlic from the skillet. Add the capers and blanched cauliflower. Gently mix to coat the cauliflower and cook until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Plate the cauliflower and sprinkle with the panko breadcrumbs. Serve with the fish en papillote.

PAN-SEARED BRANZINO

Steps:

• With your hand at least 12 inches away, lightly sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides of fish fillets in a single layer, right before cooking.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add oil and heat it for a few seconds until shimmers, and let it spread across the pan.
• Cook fish fillets, skin-side up for about 45-60 seconds or until lightly golden browned. At this point, you only need to give the flesh a nice golden color as it will continue to cook after flipping.
• Carefully flip the fish fillets and cook the skin for about 2 minutes. Using a spatula, hold for a few seconds to ensure even cooking and crisp skin all over.
• Add butter, thyme, and fresh lemon juice to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the fish with melted butter. Continue basting for a few seconds until the fish is fully cooked and the skin is crispy.