Branzino In Salsa Picante Recipes

Steps:

• 1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Have ready a flameproof baking dish or roasting pan large enough to hold the fish in a single layer. 2 Rinse the fish well and pat dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper, inside and out. Stuff each fish with half the basil. Rub 1/4 cup of the olive oil into the skin of the fish, and set aside. 3 Place the baking dish or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 cup of the olive oil, the onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the chopped chili pepper and bell pepper, and cook for 3 minutes, or until they have softened. Add the wine and cook for about 5 minutes, or until it has reduced by one-third. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the tomatoes, capers and olives. When the sauce starts to bubble around the edges, remove from direct heat and keep it warm on the stovetop. 4 Heat the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until it shimmers. Sear the fish for 3 minutes on each side, then transfer to the baking dish and baste with the sauce. Cover tightly with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for 8 minutes. Uncover and increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees. Bake for about 10 minutes, basting every 3 to 4 minutes, until the fish is just cooked through. Transfer the fish and sauce to a serving platter. Sprinkle with the parsley, drizzle with olive oil and serve hot.

Steps:

• Mince the anchovies, capers, garlic and red pepper flakes together on a cutting board, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and mash into a paste using the flat side of a chef's knife. Transfer to a food processor along with the parsley, mint and marjoram. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil and process until smooth; transfer to a medium bowl.
• Toast the fennel seeds in a skillet over medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and crush with the bottom of a small skillet. Combine with 1/4 cup of the herb mixture and the herbes de Provence in a small bowl. Put the fish fillets in a shallow dish and brush with the fennel seed-herb mixture. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, add the lemon juice, bell pepper and cucumbers to the remaining herb mixture. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Heat 2 large nonstick skillets over medium-high heat. Brush the excess marinade off the fish. Working in batches, add the fish to the skillets, skin-side up, and cook until browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the fillets, pressing with a spatula to sear the skin, and cook 2 more minutes. Serve with the herb salsa and lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Place tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, and garlic on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil, turning vegetables often and rotating baking sheet frequently, until tomatoes are blistered with dark spots and flesh is tender, about 5 minutes. Let cool. When vegetables are cool enough to handle, peel garlic. Puree garlic, tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, water, vinegar, and salt in a blender until almost smooth. Serve warm or chilled. Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.