Whole Roasted Fish with Lemon and Herbs
In short: Whole sea bream or sea bass roasted on sliced fennel with lemon, garlic and herbs until the skin crisps and the flesh turns moist and flaky. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 350 kcal
Cooking fish whole keeps the flesh moist and gives deeper flavor, since the bones and skin protect it from the heat. A scaled and gutted sea bream or sea bass of about 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) feeds one hungry person or two lighter eaters. Stuffed with lemon and herbs and roasted hot, it looks impressive but needs only 15 minutes of prep. Serve it at the table and lift the fillets off the bone with a spoon and fork.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Rinse the fish inside and out and pat very dry with paper towels. Cut 3 diagonal slashes, about 1 cm (1/2 inch) deep, on each side.
- Spread the fennel on a baking sheet and drizzle with a little of the oil. Set the fish on top.
- Rub the fish inside and out with the remaining oil, the salt and the pepper. Stuff each cavity with lemon slices, garlic, thyme and parsley.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on thickness. The fish is done when the flesh near the backbone is opaque and flakes, a thermometer reads 63°C (145°F) and the dorsal fin pulls out easily.
- Rest for 5 minutes. Squeeze the lemon wedges over the fish and bring the tray to the table.
- To serve, run a knife along the backbone, lift off the top fillet with a spoon and fork, then remove the bone and take the second fillet. Check for any small bones.
Tips
- Ask your fishmonger to scale and gut the fish and trim the fins, which saves a messy job at home.
- For a softer, gentler finish, wrap each fish in parchment and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 25 minutes.
Questions and answers
How do I know whole fish is cooked?
The flesh near the backbone turns opaque and flakes, the eye turns white and the dorsal fin comes away easily. A thermometer should read 63°C (145°F) at the thickest point.
Which fish work best cooked whole?
Sea bream, sea bass, trout, snapper and mackerel are all good. Choose fish of 400 to 600 g (14 oz to 1 lb 5 oz) so they cook evenly.
Can I cook whole fish on the grill?
Yes. Oil the fish and the grate and grill over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side, turning once with a wide spatula.
How long does it take to make Whole Roasted Fish with Lemon and Herbs?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Whole Roasted Fish with Lemon and Herbs?
About 350 kcal per serving, with 44 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 350 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 44 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
