Whole sea bass is roasted on a layer of potatoes with herbs and a punchy dressing, served with a flavour-packed pickled walnut salad. This is a really easy way to make a simple fish dish a spectacular centrepiece.

More sea bass recipes

Sea bass is available whole and un-gutted, or in prepared fillets (you can ask your fishmonger to gut and fillet the fish for you). The skin is rarely removed. Sea bass is available frozen but is certainly at its best when fresh.

The popularity of sea bass has threatened stocks in some areas and, like many other fish, sea bass is subject to a minimum landing size (it must have grown to a certain length before it can be legally caught). It is farmed extensively in the Mediterranean, which has kept the price low. Sea bass is available farmed all year round. Buy wild sea bass from July to December.

Whole sea bass have sharp spines and a thick jacket of scales that need to be removed prior to cooking. Once the scales have been removed, the skin can be left attached. Fillets require pin-boning. Sea bass has such a good flavour that it requires only simple cooking. Classic recipes include branzino, a dish typical of Northern Italy where the fish is cooked in a salt crust. Sea bass is excellent grilled, baked and cooked ‘en papilotte’. The cheeks are also considered a delicacy.

More sea bass recipes

Pan-fried sea bass in harissa butter

Tarragon crusted sea bass

Sea bass with tomato, olive and herb sauce

Sea bass with herb crust, pepper and balsamic dressing

Cured sea bass with purple sprouting broccoli, hazelnut pesto and bagna cauda

Whole roasted sea bass with romesco sauce and potatoes

Whole baked sea bass

Baked sea bass on potatoes

Mexican fish with refried beans

Baked sea bass with fennel and porcini mushroom

Bouillabaisse

Harissa baked sea bass with baby potatoes, mint salsa and Mediterranean salad

Sicilian-style fish and couscous

Pan-roasted sea bass with basil butter sauce

Sweet and sour fish with Sicilian orange salad

Yunnan-style grilled sea bass with twice-cooked pork

Salt-baked sea bass with beurre blanc

Roasted sea bass with wild mushrooms

Nigiri sushi and maki rolls

Crispy sea bass with chilli and lemongrass noodles

Steamed whole sea bass with garlic, ginger and spring onions

Steamed sea bass with griddled vegetables in a red curry sauce

Sweet and sharp sea bass

Seared sea bass with cured bass and citrus dressing

Buyer's guide

Preparation

Typically made with sea bass

Baked fish

Other white fish

Black bream

Catfish

Cod

Coley

Grey mullet

Gurnard

Haddock

Hake

Hoki

John Dory

Ling

Monkfish

Perch

Pike

Pollack

Pollock

Red mullet

Red snapper

Sea bream

Smoked haddock

Whiting

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