Sea Bass à la Michele

Background and History

Sea Bass à la Michele is a refined and elegant dish, inspired by the classic French culinary tradition. Named after a renowned chef or a beloved family member, “à la Michele” typically signifies a special preparation that highlights the natural flavors of the sea bass with a sophisticated twist. This dish combines the delicate taste of sea bass with a flavorful herb butter sauce, making it a perfect choice for gourmet dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients

• 4 sea bass fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fish or vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• Lemon wedges and fresh herbs for garnish

Serves

4 people

Time

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 20 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Instructions

Prepare the Sea Bass

• Rinse the sea bass fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Season both sides of the fillets with salt and black pepper.

Sear the Sea Bass

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the sea bass fillets, skin-side down, and sear for about 3-4 minutes, until the skin is crispy and golden.
• Carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Transfer the fillets to a plate and keep warm.

Make the Sauce

• In the same skillet, add the butter and let it melt over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic and chopped shallot, and sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
• Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, fish or vegetable stock, and capers. Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes, until it slightly thickens.
• Stir in the chopped parsley and dill.

Combine and Serve

• Return the sea bass fillets to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top to coat.
• Let the fish warm through in the sauce for about 2 minutes.
• Transfer the fillets to serving plates, spooning additional sauce over each fillet.
• Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Cholesterol: 85mg

Notes

• Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with an equal amount of additional fish or vegetable stock with a splash of white wine vinegar.
• Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs are key to this dish. If you can’t find fresh dill, you can use a smaller amount of dried dill as a substitute.
• Fish Stock: Homemade or store-bought fish stock adds depth of flavor, but vegetable stock works as a good alternative.

Allergy Warning

• Fish: This recipe contains sea bass, which is a common allergen.
• Dairy: The butter in the sauce contains dairy. Substitute with a dairy-free margarine if necessary.
• Sulfites: Wine may contain sulfites, which can be an allergen for some individuals.

Enjoy your sophisticated Sea Bass à la Michele, a dish that brings gourmet dining right to your home!