Pan-Seared Branzino with Pesto

Ingredients

FOR THE BRANZINO

FOR THE PESTO

FOR SERVING

Steps

1. Step 1

   Rinse the branzino fillets under cold water, pat them dry with paper towels, and season both sides with salt and pepper.

   • 2 filletsBranzino fillets
   • ¼ tspsalt
   • ⅛ tspblack pepper

2. Step 2

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and sear the branzino fillets skin-side down for 4 minutes, until the skin is crispy. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until cooked through.

   • 2 tbspextra virgin olive oil
   • 2 filletsBranzino fillets

3. Step 3

   In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, garlic, parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. Process until smooth, then squeeze in lemon juice and season with salt to taste.

   • 1 cupfresh basil leaves
   • 3 clovesgarlic cloves
   • ½ cupparmesan cheese
   • ¼ cupextra virgin olive oil
   • 2 tbsplemon juice
   • ¼ tspsalt

4. Step 4

   Halve cherry tomatoes and slice fresh mozzarella. Serve the pan-seared branzino with a dollop of pesto sauce on top, accompanied by cherry tomatoes and mozzarella slices.

   • 1 cupcherry tomatoes
   • 2 slicesfresh mozzarella
   • 2 filletsBranzino fillets