Herb-Infused Sea Bass with Creamy Basil Sauce
Indulge in an elegant and flavorful dish with our Herb-Infused Sea Bass with Creamy Basil Sauce. This exquisite recipe showcases tender sea bass fillets delicately broiled to perfection, paired with a vibrant basil sauce that sings with fresh herbs and a zesty hint of lemon. Ideal for special occasions or a delightful weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress your family and guests. Serve it alongside your favorite vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal experience.
4
Servings
180
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh basil leaves
3 cups (packed)
Fresh parsley
1.5 cups (packed)
Grated lemon peel
0.5 teaspoon (freshly grated)
Garlic clove
1 (peeled)
Olive oil
6 tablespoons (divided)
Fish stock or bottled clam juice
2/3 cup (choose either)
Shallot
1 (chopped)
Fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Whipping cream
1 tablespoon (none)
Butter
1 tablespoon (unsalted)
Hot pepper sauce
0.5 teaspoon (to taste)
Sea bass fillets
4 (6 ounces each) (skinless)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to broil, ensuring the rack is positioned in the upper third of the oven.
2
In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, parsley, grated lemon peel, and the garlic clove. Puree until smooth. Gradually add 4 tablespoons of olive oil while processing until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
3
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the fish stock (or clam juice), chopped shallot, fresh lemon juice, whipping cream, and butter. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
4
Once the stock mixture is simmering, stir in the basil puree and gently heat through without boiling. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
While the sauce is warming, prepare the sea bass. Place the fillets on a greased or foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Brush the fish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6
Broil the sea bass in the preheated oven for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork.
7
To serve, spoon a generous amount of the creamy basil sauce onto each plate. Place a fillet of sea bass on top and enjoy with your favorite sides.
Nutrition Information
11.5g
Fat
2.25g
Carbs
15.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herb-Infused Sea Bass with Creamy Basil Sauce?
It is an elegant dish featuring tender sea bass fillets broiled to perfection and served with a vibrant sauce made from fresh basil, parsley, and a hint of lemon.
How many servings does this sea bass recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
How long should I broil the sea bass?
The sea bass should be broiled for approximately 4 minutes on each side until it is opaque and flakes easily.
Is this sea bass recipe low in carbohydrates?
Yes, this dish is low-carb, containing only 2.25g of carbohydrates per serving.
What are the nutritional values for one serving of this dish?
Each serving contains 180 calories, 11.5g of fat, 2.25g of carbohydrates, and 15.5g of protein.
What type of fish stock can I use for the basil sauce?
You can use either fresh fish stock or bottled clam juice for the sauce base.
Do I need to leave the skin on the sea bass?
The recipe specifies using 4 skinless sea bass fillets, each weighing about 6 ounces.
What herbs are needed for the herb-infused sauce?
You will need 3 cups of packed fresh basil leaves and 1.5 cups of packed fresh parsley.
Where should the oven rack be placed for broiling the fish?
The rack should be positioned in the upper third of the oven.
How much olive oil is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of olive oil in total, used in divided portions for the sauce and the fish.
Can I substitute the fresh lemon juice?
For the best flavor, the recipe recommends using 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly grated lemon peel.
Is there any spice in the creamy basil sauce?
Yes, the recipe includes 0.5 teaspoon of hot pepper sauce to add a bit of zest.
How do I prepare the basil puree?
Combine basil, parsley, lemon peel, and garlic in a food processor, then gradually add olive oil while processing until creamy.
Should the basil sauce be boiled?
No, once the basil puree is added to the stock mixture, you should heat it through gently without letting it boil.
What kitchen equipment is necessary for this recipe?
You will need a food processor for the puree, a medium saucepan for the sauce, and a rimmed baking sheet for the fish.
What ingredients are used to simmer the sauce base?
The sauce base is made by simmering fish stock, chopped shallot, lemon juice, whipping cream, and butter.
How do I know when the sea bass is fully cooked?
The fish is ready when the center is opaque and the flesh flakes easily with a fork.
What is the suggested way to serve this dish?
Spoon a generous amount of the creamy basil sauce onto a plate and place the broiled sea bass fillet on top.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, its elegant presentation and flavorful profile make it ideal for dinner parties or special family meals.
What sides pair well with herb-infused sea bass?
It pairs beautifully with fresh vegetables or a light seasonal salad.
How much protein is in each serving of the sea bass?
There are 15.5 grams of protein per serving.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 1 peeled garlic clove.
Does the recipe use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter.
How should I prepare the baking sheet for the fish?
The baking sheet should be either greased or lined with foil before placing the fish fillets on it.
How much whipping cream is in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of whipping cream to add a touch of richness.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 12 distinct ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Fresh herbs are highly recommended for this recipe to achieve the intended flavor and creamy consistency of the sauce.
What is the weight of each sea bass fillet?
Each of the 4 fillets should weigh approximately 6 ounces.
What is the primary cooking method for the fish?
The primary cooking method for the sea bass in this recipe is broiling.
Is this recipe considered part of a specific cuisine?
The recipe is tagged as European cuisine.