Roasted Sea Bass with Green Beans and Lemon Herb Butter

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

   Tip: Having your oven preheated ensures even cooking of the delicate fish fillets.

2. 2

   Pat the sea bass fillets dry with paper towels and arrange skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper.

   Tip: Drying the fish prevents sticking and helps achieve a crispy skin.

3. 3

   In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of softened butter with minced garlic, fresh parsley, thyme, and lemon zest to create an herb butter mixture.

   Tip: Prepare this mixture while the oven is heating for efficient prep time.

4. 4

   Toss the trimmed green beans with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, garlic salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Spread them on a separate section of the baking sheet.

   Tip: Keeping the vegetables separate from the fish prevents them from becoming too moist.

5. 5

   Roast both the sea bass and green beans in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork and the green beans are tender-crisp.

   Tip: Don't overcook the fish—it continues to cook slightly after removing from the oven.

6. 6

   Remove from the oven and immediately top each sea bass fillet with a spoonful of the herb butter mixture, allowing it to melt over the warm fish.

   Tip: The residual heat will melt the butter beautifully and infuse the fish with flavor.

7. 7

   Finish with fresh lemon juice squeezed over the entire dish and serve immediately while hot.

   Tip: The fresh lemon juice brightens all the flavors and adds a final touch of acidity.