Sea Bass Poached with Tomatoes and Pesto

It may sound extravagant, but poaching fish fillets slowly in olive oil is an excellent way to ensure you don’t overcook the fish. Don’t worry about oiliness, either. The flesh, which cooks to a toothsome tenderness, is infused with the flavor of the oil but does not absorb the oil itself. During summer, add cherry tomatoes (golden orange Sungold and yellow pear tomatoes are favorites) to the hot oil to add color and some sweet-tart juices.

 

Sea Bass Poached with Tomatoes and Pesto

 

For the pesto:

1 cup (1 oz/30 g) lightly packed fresh basil, cilantro, or flat-leaf parsley leaves or a combination, plus coarsely chopped herb(s) of choice for garnish

1 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

 

4 sea bass fillets, 4-6 oz (125-185 g) each

1 tsp. sea salt

Extra-virgin olive oil for poaching

1 cup (6 oz/185 g) red or golden orange cherry tomatoes or yellow pear tomatoes, or a combination, halved

 

To make the pesto, tear or coarsely chop any large herb leaves. In a blender or food processor, combine the herb leaves, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil and process until the herbs are very finely chopped and the pesto is smooth but still has some texture. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the container or work bowl as needed. Set aside.

 

Season the fish on both sides with the salt and arrange the fillets, skin side down, in a frying pan large enough to hold the fish in a single layer without crowding. (You will need a 12-inch/30-cm or larger pan; otherwise, cook the fish in 2 batches or in 2 pans.) Pour enough olive oil into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the fillets. Scatter the tomatoes in the oil.

 

Place the pan over medium-low heat and cook until the fish begin to turn white around the edges, 2-3 minutes. Spoon some of the poaching oil over the fillets and continue to cook, basting often, until the fish is opaque throughout, 10-15 minutes longer.

 

Using a slotted spatula, gently lift the fillets from the oil bath and transfer to a platter or individual plates. Scatter the tomato halves over and around the fish. Top each fillet with a few spoonfuls of the pesto and scatter the chopped herb(s) on and around the fish. Serve right away. Serves 4.

 

Variation: In the winter, try making the pesto with parsley, and scatter thin kumquat slices and rosemary sprigs in the oil in place of tomatoes.