Mediterranean-Style Whole Branzino Recipe
Ingredients:
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 whole branzino fish (1 pound each, cleaned, head and tail attached)
• sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds and split in half
• 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• handful of fresh dill, cilantro, parsley
Lemon & olive oil dressing
* 3/4 cup olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic minced
* Juice of 2 lemons
* 1 tsp Salt
* 1 tsp black pepper
* 2 tsp Aleppo pepper
* 2 tbsp Mediterranean oregano
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
2. Pat the cleaned branzino dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, score the fish by making 2-3 diagonal cuts on each side. Season generously with salt and black pepper, both inside and out.
3. Place the two fish on the prepared baking sheet. Arrange the lemon slices, garlic slices, and fresh herbs
4. Lightly coat the fish with olive oil
5. Transfer to the oven and roast for about 15-20 minutes, flipping once half way.
***This is when you make the olive oil dressing
* Put the lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, Aleppo and pepper in a bowl. Whisk to combine.
* While whisking vigorously, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil.
6. Turn the oven to broil on high and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the skin is golden and slightly crisp. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
7. Once out of the oven, drizzle the fish with lemon and olive oil sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with dill and tomatoes