Baked sea bass

Ingredients needed to prepare baked sea bass

• 1 whole sea bass (1.2–1.5 kg), clean and scale-free
  
• 4 potatoes medium, thinly sliced
  
• 2 onions (you can combine white and purple), sliced
  
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
  
• 1 red bell pepper, in strips
  
• 1 dried chilli (optional, for a spicy touch)
  
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  
• ½ glass of dry white wine
  
• Juice of 1 lemon
  
• Fresh parsley chopped (to taste)
  
• Black pepper to taste
  
• Fine salt to taste
  
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
  
• ½ glass of fish broth (optional, if you want more juiciness)
  

Optional to give it your personal touch

• Lemon slices for decoration
  
• Salsa bilbaína (as an alternative accompaniment)
  
• Black olives or capers
  

How to prepare the perfect baked sea bass

1. Preparing the fish

Wash the sea bass thoroughly under running water and pat dry with paper towels. Make 2-3 diagonal cuts on each side to allow the flavors to penetrate. Season with salt , black pepper , and oregano , both inside and out.

2. How to prepare the garnish

Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly. Slice the onion as well . In a large ovenproof dish, place a layer of potatoes, then the onion, the bell pepper , and sprinkle with chopped garlic and chili pepper . Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a little salt.

3. Baking time and temperature

Preheat the oven to 200 ° C. Place the corvina on top of the garnish. Squeeze the lemon over the fish and add a few sprigs or sprinkle fresh parsley. pour the white wine and the fish soup at the bottom of the tray, without directly wetting the fish.

Bake at 200°C (top and bottom heat) for 25 to 30 minutes . If the fish is very thick, it may need an extra 5 minutes. You can cover it with aluminum foil if it's browning too quickly.

Tips and tricks to improve your baked sea bass recipe

• To make it juicy: Don't overcook it. Check to see if the meat falls off the bone easily.

   

• If you don't have white wine, use more fish stock or even water with a little lemon juice.
  
• To give more flavor, you can add a few drops of Bilbao sauce at the end or when serving.
  
• No oven? You can prepare this recipe in a large, covered skillet over low heat, adjusting cooking times.
  

Ideal accompaniments for baked sea bass

• Baked potatoes with onion: the perfect side dish that you already prepared with the fish.
  
• Arugula and cherry tomato salad, with a lemon and extra virgin olive oil dressing.
  
• White rice with parsley and garlic, ideal for taking advantage of the fish juices.
  
• Roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant or baby carrots.
  

Frequently asked questions about baked sea bass

Can I use another fish?

Yes, you can substitute the sea bass, sea bream, or hake for the corvina. Just adjust the cooking time according to the size and thickness of the fish.

Can it be prepared in advance?

Yes, you can leave everything assembled on the tray and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, just preheat the oven and continue cooking.

Which wine goes best?

A chilled Albariño , Verdejo , or Sauvignon Blanc is ideal. A dry cider is also a great option if you want to try something new.