Sea Bream with Citrus

Sea bream with citrus is a light and fragrant second course, perfect for those who love delicate and fresh flavors. Here is the recipe to prepare sea bream with citrus with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 2 sea breams (about 300-400 g each), already cleaned and descaled
• 1 orange
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• Sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• White wine (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Wash the orange, lemon, and lime well and dry them. Grate the zest of these citrus fruits, avoiding the white part as it’s bitter, and set aside. Then cut the fruit into thin slices.
3. Arrange slices of citrus on the baking sheet, alternating to create a colorful bed.
4. Inside the abdominal cavity of each sea bream, insert the sprigs of thyme, peeled garlic cloves, and a pinch of salt and pepper. If you like, you can also add a splash of white wine to enhance the flavor.
5. Place the sea breams on the bed of citrus and cover them with more slices of orange, lemon, and lime. Sprinkle the sea breams with the grated citrus zest, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, depending on the size of the sea breams, until the flesh becomes opaque and flakes easily at the touch of a fork.
7. Remove the sea breams from the oven and let them rest for a moment before serving.

Curiosity

Sea bream is a fish highly appreciated in Mediterranean cuisine, not only for its delicate and tasty meat but also for its versatility in various preparations. The pairing with citrus fruits is typical of Mediterranean cuisine which loves to enhance simple flavors with fresh and fragrant notes.

You can accompany this dish with a nice glass of chilled Vermentino or another light and fragrant white wine, which pairs well with the freshness of the citrus fruits. Enjoy your meal!