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Pan-Seared Branzino with Saffron...Pan-Seared Branzino with Saffron Fennel Silk and Caper Gremolata

Name: Pan-Seared Branzino with Saffron Fennel Silk and Caper Gremolata
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 2 skin-on Branzino fillets (6 oz each); 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced; 100ml heavy cream; 1 generous pinch of high-quality saffron threads; 1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes; 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped; Zest of 1 organic lemon; 2 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted; 1 tbsp nonpareil capers, drained; 4 tbsp premium extra virgin olive oil; 1 tbsp unsalted cold butter

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Cuisine

Mediterranean

👥

Servings

⏱

Prep Time

30 mins

🍳

Cook Time

25 mins

⭐

Difficulty

Medium

Crispy-skinned Mediterranean Branzino served over a velvety saffron-infused fennel purée, finished with a bright pine nut and caper gremolata.

MediterraneanMedium

Ingredients

•2 skin-on Branzino fillets (6 oz each)

•1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced

•100ml heavy cream

•1 generous pinch of high-quality saffron threads

•1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes

•1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

•Zest of 1 organic lemon

•2 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted

•1 tbsp nonpareil capers, drained

•4 tbsp premium extra virgin olive oil

•1 tbsp unsalted cold butter

Cooking Instructions

01
In a small saucepan, gently warm the heavy cream with saffron threads over low heat. Let infuse for 10 minutes; do not boil.
02
Sauté sliced fennel in 1 tbsp olive oil until translucent. Add the saffron cream and simmer until fennel is tender. Blend in a high-speed blender with cold butter until silk-smooth. Season with sea salt.
03
Combine chopped parsley, lemon zest, toasted pine nuts, and capers with 2 tbsp olive oil to create the gremolata.
04
Score the skin of the branzino fillets. Season with salt. In a hot stainless steel pan with olive oil, press the fillets skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until skin is golden and ultra-crispy.
05
Flip the fish and cook for 1 more minute. Remove and rest. In the same pan, quickly blister the cherry tomatoes until they just begin to burst.
06
To plate, swipe a generous spoonful of fennel silk across the plate. Place the fish skin-side up, garnish with blistered tomatoes, and drizzle the gremolata over the top.

Cooking Reviews

“

The Caprese Salad Skewers recipe was a triumph! I prepared them for a party's barbecue and everyone loved them. The basil was so aromatic, the mozzarella so fresh, and the skewers were the perfect size and an appropriate.

Michael Burns

July 1, 2023