Il Cucinologo
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Sea Bream with Herbs and Caponata

17/11/2023

I can guide you in preparing herb-infused sea bream with caponata, a Mediterranean dish that pairs the delicate flavor of the fish with the rich, savory taste of Sicilian caponata. First, here are the ingredients for the sea bream, followed by those 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 celery stalks, finely sliced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 ripe tomatoes, peeled and cubed, or 400 g canned peeled tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and squeezed
  • Pitted green olives to taste
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon 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 it dry.
  3. Make a few diagonal cuts on the sides of the sea bream to allow the herbs to better flavor the fish.
  4. Stuff the sea bream with the rosemary, thyme, parsley and 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, then set aside on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  2. In a clean pan, sauté the onion and celery with a little oil until translucent.
  3. Add the tomatoes, capers and olives, and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add the vinegar and sugar, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Add the fried eggplant to the other ingredients in the pan and cook for a further 5-10 minutes over low heat, stirring gently.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Place the cooked sea bream on a plate and serve it alongside the caponata.

Trivia

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