Baked Whole Bass With Apple Fennel Food

ROASTED APPLES AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large ovenproof skillet. Add 2 Gala apples and 1 fennel bulb (both cut into wedges) and 6 halved small shallots and cook until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon chopped thyme, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast at 425˚ F, tossing once, until tender, 15 minutes. Add 1 more tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; toss until glazed, 1 minute. Top with fennel fronds.

BAKED SEA BASS WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Rinse and dry the fish. Season all over, then stuff the cavity with some fennel slices, lemon and basil. Scatter the olives and any leftover fennel, basil and lemon into a roasting tin.
• Place the sea bass on top. Drizzle each fish with the oil and bake for about 30 mins or until cooked through and starting to brown.

WHOLE BAKED SEA BASS

Steps:

• To make the potatoes, preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion, fennel and fennel seeds until starting to soften, this will take about 5-8 minutes. Place the potatoes in a roasting tin, add the fennel mixture, dill and drizzle with more oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until crispy.
• Meanwhile, make the sea bass. Line a baking tray with kitchen foil and baking paper that is large enough to make a parcel around the fish. Put the olives, tomatoes, capers and rosemary into the parcel. Place the lemon slices in the belly of the fish and season the fish all over with salt and pepper. Drizzle over the oil, pour in the white wine and fold the paper over to form a parcel. Bake in the oven with the potatoes for about 20 minutes (how long it takes will depend on the size of the fish) until cooked through, checking with a skewer.
• To make the salad, place the salad leaves and croûtons in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, add the oil, vinegar and anchovies and mix. Pour the dressing over the salad in the bowl and mix to coat the leaves.
• Serve the sea bass with the potatoes and salad.

BAKED WHOLE BASS WITH APPLE FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover and 8 by 12-inch baking pan with the fennel slices and then layer with the onion and then dot with the bacon. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lay the bass on top, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper and bay leaves. Surround the bass with the apple cider, apple slices and clams. Sprinkle with the scallions and thyme. Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes. Discard any unopened clams. Remove the bay leaves and serve on a large platter.

BAKED BASS WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Brush 15 x 10 x 2-inch baking dish with olive oil. Rub fish inside and out with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle fish cavities with crushed fennel seeds. Arrange fish in prepared baking dish; drizzle with 1/2 cup Pernod. Cover tightly with foil. Bake until fish is almost cooked through, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced fennel and saut until tender, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle sautéed fennel over fish. Bake uncovered until fish is opaque, about 5 minutes longer. Garnish fish with reserved fennel fronds. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

SEA BASS WITH FENNEL, LEMON & SPICES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix all the spices together. Brush a large square of foil with the oil, then scatter over the fennel. Sprinkle with a third of the spices, half the chilli and some seasoning. Rub the remaining spices and chilli all over the fish and in the cavity, put the fish on top of the fennel and stuff with the lemon slices.
• Bring the edges of the foil together and scrunch well to seal. Place the parcel on a baking tray and cook for 15 mins. Unwrap, scatter with coriander and serve with lemon wedges, if you like.