It seems like every restaurant I go to these days has Striped Bass on the menu. I never realized how fortunate we were to have this as a staple in our home. Brad and the boys have been catching this fish for years. I've prepared it so many ways and here is my latest preparation. I layered the fish with thinly sliced fresh fennel, onions, olives, and tomatoes. I wrapped everything in a foil packet and baked until ready. The result is deliciously tender and healthy striped bass... it even makes it's own sauce. This is perfect for entertaining since the packets can be made in advance and popped in the oven when your ready. I just don't know what took me so long to try it this way.
Ingredients for Striped Bass and Veggie Foil Bake:
serves 4 - this recipe is easily multiplied
4 - 6-ounce pieces Striped Bass; Halibut, Cod, and Black Sea Bass are good substitutions
1 fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
8-10 parsley sprigs
1-2 lemons thinly sliced
a handful of cocktail tomatoes, quartered
approximately 1 cup of assorted olives
8 teaspoons olive oil
Kosher salt
pepper
foil
Time-Saving Tips: The vegetables can be prepped in advance. The packets can also be prepared a few hours in advance and kept in the refrigerator.
Let's see what we need.
Time to cook.
Preheat the oven to 400 - degrees. Prepare all of the vegetables and put aside four pieces of foil large enough to hold each piece of fish with vegetables when folded and sealed.
Place one fish fillet on a piece of foil. Top with a slice or two of lemon. Continue layering the vegetables and some parsley. I like to do all of the packets at the same time so I am sure to evenly distribute all of the vegetables. Once all of the vegetables have been added season with salt and pepper and drizzle each with two teaspoons of olive oil.
Seal all of the packets. Bring the two long ends together so they meet in the middle and fold over to seal the entire length of the packets. Fold the ends over. Place the sealed packets on a cookie sheet and place in the oven. Bake for about 12-18 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. When it's ready unseal the packages and carefully transfer to a plate or just serve everyone a packet and they can open it.
It's ready! This is really such an easy way to prepare fish and it is delicious. Striped Bass with Veggies in Foil Bake is quick enough for a weeknight dinner and special enough to serve guests. It's my new favorite.
Enjoy!