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Sea Bream with Herbs and Caponata

17/11/2023

I can guide you in the preparation of a sea bream with herbs and caponata, a Mediterranean dish that combines the delicate flavor of fish with the rich and tasty Sicilian caponata. First of all, I will list the ingredients to prepare the sea bream and then for the caponata.

Ingredients for the sea bream:

  • 1 sea bream (about 400-500 g) cleaned and gutted
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs of fresh parsley
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Ingredients for the caponata:

  • 1 large eggplant, cut into cubes
  • 2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced or 400 g of canned peeled tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon of capers, rinsed and drained
  • Pitted green olives to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • Pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil for frying
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Preparation of the sea bream:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Rinse the sea bream under running water and pat dry.
  3. Make several transversal cuts on the sides of the sea bream to allow the herbs to better flavor the fish.
  4. Stuff the sea bream with rosemary, thyme, parsley, and the peeled garlic clove.
  5. Season both the inside and outside of the fish with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of oil.
  6. Place the sea bream on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the flesh is cooked and flakes easily with a fork.

Preparation of the caponata:

  1. Fry the eggplant cubes in plenty of oil until golden and set them aside on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  2. In a cleaner pan, sauté the onion and celery with a bit of oil until they become translucent.
  3. Add the tomatoes, capers, and olives, cooking over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the vinegar and sugar, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. Add the fried eggplants to the rest of the ingredients in the pan and cook for another 5-10 minutes on low heat, stirring gently.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Then place the cooked sea bream on a plate and serve it next to the caponata.

Curiosity

Caponata is a traditional Sicilian side dish that combines different flavors: sweet, salty, sour, and savory. Every family has their own version, and there is no unique recipe. Originally, it was a humble dish, prepared with leftover vegetables found at home.