Stuffed Grilled Sea Bream

Name: Stuffed Grilled Sea Bream
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 1 large red bell pepper; 4 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and seeded; 6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 large shallot, peeled and finely chopped; 12 niçoise olives, pitted and coarsely chopped; 2 anchovies, finely chopped; 4 (1-lb.) sea bream, porgy, or sea bass, deboned, with heads removed; 6 small leeks, trimmed and cut in quarters lengthwise; 1 ⁄ 4 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 ⁄ 2 cup dry white wine; 1 shallot, peeled and minced; Pinch saffron, crumbled; 8 Tbsp. chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Serves
serves 4

SAVEUR EDITORS

The various sea breams, including gilt-head and the variety the French call pagre, are traditionally considered among the most delicious fish in the Mediterranean. Chef Joel Guillet prefers the latter for this simple but dramatic-looking dish.

Ingredients

For the Fish

1 large red bell pepper
4 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and seeded
6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large shallot, peeled and finely chopped
12 niçoise olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
2 anchovies, finely chopped
4 (1-lb.) sea bream, porgy, or sea bass, deboned, with heads removed
6 small leeks, trimmed and cut in quarters lengthwise

For the Sauce

¹⁄₄ cup fresh lemon juice
¹⁄₂ cup dry white wine
1 shallot, peeled and minced
Pinch saffron, crumbled
8 Tbsp. chilled butter, cut into small pieces

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Instructions

Step 1

Preheat broiler. Place pepper and tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with about 2 tbsp. oil, season with salt and pepper, and broil, turning the pepper 3–4 times, until pepper is charred and tomatoes are soft, 12–15 minutes. Set tomatoes aside and transfer pepper to a small bowl. Cover bowl with plastic and set aside. When pepper is cool, remove and discard seeds and veins, then peel, coarsely chop, and set aside.

Step 2

Coarsely chop tomatoes and set aside (do not mix with peppers). Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add olives, anchovies, and peppers and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, cook for 30 seconds more, remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper. Set filling aside to cool.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 400°. Heat a grill pan over high heat. Lay fish out flat, brush skin with oil, season with salt and pepper, then fold closed into original shape. Grill, turning once, about 1 minute per side, then transfer fish to a clean surface. Open fish, then spoon a quarter of the filling into each one. Fold each fish closed and transfer to a large baking dish. Bake stuffed fish until they flake easily, about 7 minutes, then remove from oven, cover with foil, and keep warm.

Step 4

Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tbsp. oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and 2 tbsp. water. Cook, stirring frequently, until leeks are soft and pan almost dry, 5–8 minutes. Season leeks with salt and pepper and set aside.

Step 5

Place lemon juice, wine, and shallots in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce liquid by three-quarters, about 5 minutes. Lower heat to medium-low, add saffron, gradually whisk in butter, and season with salt and pepper. Divide leeks between 4 plates. Arrange fish over leeks, then spoon sauce around and serve.