Steamed Branzino with Vegetables

I can provide you with a simple and tasty recipe to prepare steamed branzino accompanied by fresh vegetables. It is a light and healthy recipe, perfect for an elegant yet easy-to-prepare dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 branzini (about 300 g each), gutted and scaled
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, sliced
• A few sprigs of thyme or other fresh herbs to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

For the vegetables:

• 200 g new potatoes
• 150 g green beans
• 2 carrots
• 1 zucchini
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the fish: rinse the branzini under running water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper inside and out.
2. Stuff them with lemon slices and sprigs of thyme or other herbs of your choice.
3. Prepare your steamer basket (which can be a bamboo steamer, a metal basket to place in a pot, or a modern steamer appliance).
4. Bring the water to a boil, and once the vegetables and fish are ready, arrange the latter in the basket without overlapping.
5. Cover and steam for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the fish. The branzini are ready when the flesh easily separates from the bone.

For the vegetables:

1. Clean and cut the new potatoes in half or quarters, depending on size; clean and cut the carrots and zucchini into sticks, and trim the green beans.
2. Bring another pot of salted water to a boil, and blanch the vegetables starting with the harder ones (potatoes and carrots), then adding the more delicate ones (green beans and zucchini) in stages so that all are ready and crisp at the same time.
3. Drain and immediately plunge them into cold water to stop the cooking and preserve their vibrant color.
4. Drain again and sauté briefly in a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.

Arrange the steamed branzino on plates and place the sautéed vegetables alongside. If desired, for an Italian finish, add a drizzle of raw oil over the fish and a twist of freshly ground black pepper.

Trivia

The branzino, also known as sea bass, is a prized and versatile fish in the kitchen. In Italian tradition, it is often baked with potatoes, but steaming enhances its delicacy and best preserves its organoleptic qualities, making it a light dish ideal for those watching their figure.