Bulgur Pilaf with Roasted Sea Bass
Elegant, simple, and healthy are the words that come to mind when I think of this wonderful recipe, perfect for a dinenr party or an weeknight feast. To find some of the artisinal Greek products you'll need to make this, visit my online shop here, where you'll discover a host of lovingly curated Greek ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups bulgur wheat
- ⅓ cup extra virgin Greek olive oil
- 1 large fennel bulb trimmed and chopped
- 1 leek trimmed and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 cup cherry or teardrop tomatoes halved
- 4 tablespoons ouzo or dry white wine
- 6 pitted green olives chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup chopped fresh dill
- Salt pepper to taste
- 4 sea bass or gilthead bream fillets skin on
Instructions
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Place the bulgur wheat in a bowl with 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Cover and let stand for 2 hours, until the bulgur absorbs most of the water and is tender. Drain off any remaining water in a colander and set the bulgur aside.
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Place the fish on a platter or pan and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
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Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a deep skillet or wide pot over medium heat and cook the leek and fennel until softened but still al dente, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic. Raise the heat a bit and add the tomatoes. Cook over high heat until they start to crinkle. Stir in the olives. Carefully pour in 2 tablespoons of the ouzo. When the alcohol steams off, turn off heat, add the walnuts, and drained bulgur and toss to combine. Stir in the lemon zest and herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
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In a separate large frying pan, heat two more tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Place the fish fillets skin side up and sauté for 3 minutes. Turn carefully with a spatula and cook on the other side. Turn up heat, pour in the remaining ouzo, and cook for another minute or two until the alcohol evaporates but there is still liquid left in the pan.
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Remove the fillets. Toss the pan juices into the bulgur mixture and serve the bulgur in four equal portions on four dinner plates. Place a fillet over the bulgur mound. Drizzle remaining olive oil over each dish. Garnish with chopped dill and a lemon slice and serve.
