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In Search of the Perfect Bite – Crispy Skin Branzino with Watercress Pesto and Squid Ink Pasta

This dish is set to impress with its fancy name, but the cooking is very simple. 

Branzino is a Mediterranean fish that is commonly raised in aquaculture. Also known as a European sea bass that’s native to the waters off the coast of western and southern Europe, as well as northern Africa. 

Fellow B-Corp company, Ideal Fish raises branzino in a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) located in Connecticut. You can check them out here: ​​Ideal Fish 

This white ocean fish has tender, mild-flavored flesh, making it an incredibly versatile staple of Mediterranean cuisine. Branzino is often available as a whole fish at seafood sellers, but for this recipe, filets are best.

Ingredients:

Fish

Branzino filets

Salt 

Pepper 

Olive oil

Pesto

Large handful watercrest

Small handful basil

1 clove garlic 

5-6 tablespoons of olive oil

Zest of 1 lemon and the juice of half the lemon

5 0z pine or hazelnuts

Salt and pepper

Squid Ink pasta

Just go buy pre-made squid ink pasta. It’s a pain in the neck to make it fresh.

Method

  1. Start by making the pesto. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or finely chop. This can be prepared and set aside up to 48 hours in advance.
  2. Pat dry the Branzino filet. The drier the skin, the crispier it will get when cooked. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
  3. In a well-seasoned skillet, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil. Place fish filet skin side down. Cook the filet for several minutes. Skin will slightly shrink and meat will become opaque. Flip once to the meat side down to finish cooking. This should be less than a minute.
  4. As soon as the fish is done, remove from the pan and set aside. Increase the heat to full and deglaze the pan with ½ a cup of white wine. Add 2-3 tablespoons of pesto and mix. 
  5. At the same time, heat squid ink pasta in boiling salted water. Squid ink pasta is normally fresh pasta, so the cooking time is only about 1 minute.
  6. Place al dente pasta into a pan. Bring several tablespoons of cooking water and toss with pesto sauce.
  7. Plate pasta, and add fish filet to the dish.
  8. Enjoy! 

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