{"id":"branzino_al_forno_42c09d8b2a","slug":"branzino-al-forno-italian-baked-sea-bass","title":"Branzino al Forno (Italian Baked Sea Bass)","description":"A classic Italian preparation of whole Mediterranean sea bass, roasted with fragrant herbs, lemon slices, and extra virgin olive oil for a delicate, moist finish.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":40,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 whole branzino (sea bass), scaled and gutted","name":"Branzino","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole, scaled and gutted","notes":"approx 400-500g each","group":"Protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 lemon, thinly sliced","name":"Lemon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"thinly sliced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"4 garlic cloves, smashed","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"smashed","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 bunch fresh Italian parsley","name":"Chopped Parsley","quantity":1,"unit":"bunch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"bunch","form":"fresh","notes":"Italian flat-leaf","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"extra virgin","notes":"","group":"Fats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Salt, to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"Black pepper, to taste","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"freshly ground","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Rinse the branzino under cold water and pat them thoroughly dry inside and out with paper towels. Make three shallow diagonal slashes on both sides of each fish.","group":"Preparation","title":"Rinse the branzino under cold water and pat them thoroughly dry inside and out","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Season the cavity and the skin of the fish generously with salt and black pepper.","group":"Seasoning","title":"Season the cavity and the skin of the fish generously","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Seasoning"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stuff each fish cavity with lemon slices, smashed garlic cloves, and sprigs of parsley.","group":"Stuffing","title":"Stuff each fish cavity","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Stuffing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place the fish on the baking sheet and drizzle both sides with extra virgin olive oil.","group":"Baking","title":"Place the fish on the baking sheet","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should be around 145°F (63°C).","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Ensure the fish is scaled and gutted before starting. Patting the skin dry with paper towels is the secret to getting a better texture even when roasting.","cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["bake","roast"],"equipment":["baking sheet","parchment paper","paper towels","kitchen knife"],"diet":["pescatarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_carb","high_protein","mediterranean"],"allergens":["fish"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"fish","note":"Serves 2 people"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Fish is best served immediately. You can clean and stuff the fish 4 hours in advance and keep refrigerated."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Best eaten cold or gently reheated.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a low oven at 300°F (149°C) covered with foil to prevent drying."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbranzino_al_forno_42c09d8b2a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1424966d-a4d6-4008-97c1-794dd7f3eed4","imageAlt":"Branzino al Forno (Italian Baked Sea Bass) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["healthy","whole fish","low carb","mediterranean diet","seafood"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Branzino al Forno (Italian Baked Sea Bass)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T07:59:13.019Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T07:59:13.019Z","related":[{"id":"pane_e_marmellata_43c0347c11","slug":"bread-and-jam-pane-e-marmellata","title":"Bread and Jam (Pane e Marmellata)","description":"A classic Italian breakfast staple consisting of toasted rustic bread spread with creamy butter and sweet fruit preserves.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":3,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpane_e_marmellata_43c0347c11%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=efcb1e5f-c2b8-42ca-b731-88339442711d","imageAlt":"Bread and Jam (Pane e Marmellata) — recipe cover","tags":["breakfast","italian","quick","easy","vegetarian","jam","toast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":3},{"id":"tramezzino_15edd4f558","slug":"classic-venetian-tramezzino","title":"Classic Venetian Tramezzino","description":"A soft, crustless triangular sandwich from Venice, famously bulging with a creamy tuna and caper filling. Perfect for a quick snack or an elegant party appetizer.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Venetian"]},"course":["appetizer","main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftramezzino_15edd4f558%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=14cd5582-7e6b-462b-87bf-bab1e0e157fc","imageAlt":"Classic Venetian Tramezzino — recipe cover","tags":["italian","sandwich","tuna","venice","easy","no-cook","party-food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"orecchiette_alle_cime_di_rapa_fce72e0854","slug":"orecchiette-with-broccoli-rabe","title":"Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe","description":"A classic Apulian pasta dish featuring ear-shaped orecchiette, bitter broccoli rabe, garlic, chili, and anchovies for a savory, rustic finish.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Apulian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian","low_fat","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Forecchiette_alle_cime_di_rapa_fce72e0854%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3ca85815-37a0-40ac-a20c-fe612450854a","imageAlt":"Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe — recipe cover","tags":["pasta","healthy","broccoli rabe","italian","traditional","puglia"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6}]}