Pan Seared Branzino Recipes

Steps:

• Pat fillets dry with a paper towel. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat a heavy 10-inch nonstick or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil. Place the fillets in the pan, skin side down (if applicable), laying them down away from your body. If fillets have skin, press down gently with a spatula for about 20 seconds to prevent curling.
• Lower heat to medium and let sizzle until fish is golden and caramelized around edges, about 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip fillets and add butter and thyme to pan. Tilt pan slightly to let the melted butter pool at one end. Use a spoon to baste the fish with the pooled butter. Continue basting until golden all over and cooked through, 45 to 90 seconds more, depending on the thickness of your fish. Serve immediately with chopped parsley (if using) and lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• Use paper towels to pat the whole fish dry. Score the skin of each branzino by making two shallow cuts on a slight diagonal on each side of the fish. Season each branzino inside and out with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Slice 1 tangerine crosswise into 8 rounds (discard any seeds). Halve and squeeze the other tangerine to get 1/4 cup juice.
• Stuff the cavity of each branzino with the sliced tangerine, oregano sprigs and rosemary sprigs. Close the belly slightly around the filling and tie loosely with a piece of butcher's string to help hold the filling inside.
• Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Working one at a time, place the fish in the pan and allow it to sear for 3 minutes, pressing down gently to ensure even browning and crispness. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the first side is golden-brown and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes longer, then flip the fish and repeat on the other side until the fish is golden-brown and crisp, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the fish to the prepared baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and repeat with the other fish. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook until the fish are cooked through and the flesh is flaky, about 8 minutes. Remove the fish from the oven and untie and discard the string. Let the fish to rest for 4 minutes.
• While the fish rests, in a small bowl whisk together the Dijon mustard, chopped oregano, tangerine juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 4 teaspoons olive oil. While the fish is still warm, drizzle the vinaigrette over the fish and serve.

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the branzino fillets on paper towels and dry well. With a sharp knife, score the skin of each fillet by making three shallow cuts on a slight diagonal. Sprinkle the fillets on all sides with the salt.
• Add the oil to the hot pan; then add the fillets, skin side down, being sure to lay the fish away from you in the pan. Press gently on each fillet to make sure the skin has full contact with the pan. Allow the fish to cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Using a fish spatula, gently flip the fillets and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove the branzino to a platter, skin side up, and keep warm.
• To the hot pan, add the tomatoes, capers and olives. Cook for 1 minute, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the white wine, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Stir in the butter and parsley. Spoon the sauce over the branzino and serve.

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:

• Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and heat to the verge of smoking. Next, mix the salt and pepper evenly into the flour and coat both sides of each fillet of fish. Then add to the pan, cooking until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and repeat on the second side until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with each fillet, holding the cooked fillets warm, covered with foil on a plate, until serving. Additional oil may be needed during the process. After searing the fish, add the wine to the pan to deglaze. Allow the wine to reduce by half, 3 to 4 minutes, then add the stock and reduce by three-quarters volume, resulting in 1 cup sauce. This reduction will take 4 to 5 minutes. Then add the mushrooms, herbs and garlic. Stir and allow to finish, reducing by half again, a final 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until creamy. Finish the fillets with the pan sauce and serve.

Steps:

• Rinse the Branzino fish filets and pat it dry with a paper towel.
• Dash of salt on one side of the fish filets only. Do not salt both sides. Fish do not need a lot of salt. Add black pepper.
• With frying pan on stove top, turn heat on medium high.
• Put butter and extra virgin olive oil in pan. Wait until butter melts and sizzles, then add garlic.
• When garlic is fragrant and lightly brown, add in the fresh basil. This will crisp up the basil.
• Immediately, put in the Branzino fish filets and pan fry for 3 minutes.
• Pour lemon juice onto fish into pan. Flip over fish filets and pan fry for another 3 minutes or until nice crisp brown colors on the edges.
• Turn off heat and plate the fish filets with your choice of sides. Don't forget to pour some of that garlic butter sauce onto the fish filets. Sprinkled some fresh minced parsley on top of dish and enjoy!