Baked sea bream

Baked Sea Bream Recipe with Natural Potatoes and Green Salad

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Do you love fish but want to try a recipe that combines delicate flavors and highlights the natural taste of sea bream? Today, I propose a simple yet refined recipe for baked sea bream, perfect for a special dinner or a family meal. It is a dish that will not only delight your taste buds but also add a touch of elegance to your table.

Before we begin, let’s get a little familiar with sea bream. This fish, with its white and juicy flesh, is valued not only for its taste but also for the nutritional benefits it offers. Sea bream is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins, making it an excellent choice for a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, due to its fine texture, it is ideal for baking, retaining its juiciness and flavors.

The ingredients needed for this recipe are:

- 2 large sea bream (approximately 600-800 g each)
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 150 ml dry white wine (choose a wine you would also like to drink at the table)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for greasing the baking tray

Now that we have all the ingredients prepared, let’s move on to the preparation steps.

1. Preparing the sea bream: Start by cleaning and washing the fish well. Remove the scales and intestines if they are not already cleaned. Once you have cleaned the sea bream, gently dry them with a paper towel. This step is essential for achieving a beautiful crust in the oven.

2. Marinating the fish: In a bowl, mix the juice of half a lemon, salt, pepper, paprika, and a little olive oil. Rub the sea bream with this mixture inside and out so that the flavors penetrate well. Let them marinate for 30 minutes to intensify the taste.

3. Preparing the base for baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C (or 350°F). In a baking tray, lay a bed of onion slices, chopped garlic, and bay leaves. These ingredients will add a delicious aroma to the sea bream during baking.

4. Adding the sea bream: Place the marinated sea bream on top of the vegetable bed in the tray. It is important to arrange them in a single layer so that they cook evenly.

5. The white wine: Pour the white wine over the sea bream. This will help create a delicious sauce and keep the fish moist. If you prefer a sweeter note, you can use a semi-dry white wine.

6. Baking: Cover the tray with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake the sea bream for about 40 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, remove the foil to allow the fish to brown nicely.

7. Preparing the side dish: While the sea bream is baking, you can prepare the natural potatoes. Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are soft, then drain them and add a little butter and chopped parsley for flavor. A fresh green salad, drizzled with a simple dressing of olive oil and vinegar, will perfectly complement this dish.

8. Serving: When the sea bream is ready, take it out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve the fish alongside the natural potatoes and green salad. You can decorate the plate with lemon slices and a few parsley leaves for an attractive appearance.

Serving suggestions: This baked sea bream is perfect alongside a glass of dry white wine. You can choose a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay, which will complement the flavors of the fish. Additionally, for an extra touch of flavor, you can add a few green or black olives on the plate.

Helpful tips: If you want to enhance the flavor of the sea bream even more, you can add a few slices of tomatoes or bell peppers to the baking tray. These will create a delicious sauce that will perfectly accompany the fish.

Possible variations: You can experiment with other herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, to add a different flavor note. Also, if you prefer fried fish, you can adapt this recipe to grill the sea bream, but make sure not to choose fish larger than your palm so that they cook evenly.

Frequently asked questions:

What type of fish can I use instead of sea bream?
If you can't find sea bream, you can also use other types of white-fleshed fish, such as trout, perch, or dorade.

How can I check if the fish is cooked?
The fish is done when the flesh becomes opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If it is cooked evenly, the flesh should be slightly translucent at first, but will become completely opaque during cooking.

This baked sea bream recipe is not only easy to prepare but also full of flavors and nutrients. I wish you great success in cooking and, above all, enjoy every bite!