Best Roasted Branzino With Green Olive Couscous Recipes

ROASTED WHOLE BRANZINO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet.
• Cut slits into the branzino skin 1 inch apart, being careful not to cut through the spine. Stuff each slit with the garlic then drizzle the fish with oil. Season heavily with salt and pepper. Stuff the fish cavity with the lemon slices and the thyme sprigs. Transfer the fish to the wire rack and roast in the oven until the flesh is flaky and cooked through, about 14 minutes.
• Remove and discard the thyme sprigs. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

ROASTED BRANZINO WITH LEMONS

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
• Lay a piece of heavy-duty foil on a baking sheet. Spray the foil with vegetable oil cooking spray. Lay the fish fillets, skin side down on the foil in a single layer and season with salt and pepper, to taste. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon zest, fennel fronds and thyme. Spoon the mixture over the fish. Arrange the lemon and fennel slices on top of the fish and sprinkle with the cooked pancetta. Pour the wine on top. Lay another piece of foil on top and crimp the edges of both pieces to form a packet. Roast until the flesh is flaky and cooked through, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the top piece of foil. Put the cooked lemon slices and fennel on a platter. Carefully transfer the fish to the platter on top of the fennel and lemon slices. Garnish with parsley and serve.

WHOLE ROASTED BRANZINO WITH COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Rub a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and set aside. Cook the couscous as the label directs.
• Meanwhile, season the cavity of the fish with salt and pepper. Stuff the lemon slices and parsley sprigs into the cavities, reserving about 8 lemon slices for serving. Arrange the fish on the baking sheet in an even layer and roast until the flesh flakes easily with a fork, 16 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes.
• Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the couscous, chopped parsley, red onion, pomegranate seeds and pecans; toss well to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer each whole fish to a plate, or remove the fillets and transfer to plates (see page 55). Serve with the couscous salad and reserved lemon slices.