Black Bass with Sicilian-Style Pesto

1. 1

   To prepare the bass:

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 375

3. 3

   Pour the olive oil into a baking dish.

4. 4

   Using a sharp knife, make 4 shallow diagonal incisions in the skin side of each fillet.

5. 5

   (This keeps the fish from curling up and getting tough.)

6. 6

   Season the fillets with salt, pepper, oregano, and the lemon and orange zest and shake the scallions over the top.

7. 7

   Lay them in the baking dish skin-side up.

8. 8

   Pour the vermouth or wine over the fish.

9. 9

   Break up the butter with your fingers and place little bits across the fish.

10. 10

    Bake the fish, uncovered, until the flesh turns just white and is semifirm to the touch, about 5 to 8 minutes.

11. 11

    When you cut into the fish, the center should be just opaque.

12. 12

    To prepare the pesto:

13. 13

    Drain the sun-dried tomatoes and put them in the blender with the olive oil, garlic, almonds, and 1 cup of hot tap water.

14. 14

    Blend on high until the ingredients have combined into a chunky sauce, about 1 minute.

15. 15

    To finish the dish:

16. 16

    Remove the fish from the baking dish to a plate but do not discard the juices in the bottom of the pan.

17. 17

    Add half the pesto to the juices in the baking dish and mix together lover low heat until everything is combined.

18. 18

    Add the chopped basil, parsley, and celery leaf, and mix to combine all the ingredients.

19. 19

    If the pesto seems too thick for your taste, adjust the consistency by adding a little more hot tap water.

20. 20

    Spoon a portion of the pesto onto the bottom of each serving plate and place a fish fillet on top.

21. 21

    Drizzle more extra-virgin olive oil over the top.

22. 22

    Serve immediately.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.