A fantastic one-tray dish that combines flaky sea bass with golden roasted potatoes, infused with garlic, lemon and fresh herbs. Perfect for home chefs looking to create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal fuss.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 whole sea bass (approximately 500–700g each), cleaned and scaled
- 750g baby potatoes, sliced into ½cm rounds
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: handful of cherry tomatoes
Method
Step 1: Roast the Potatoes
Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
Place the sliced potatoes in a large roasting tray. Add half the olive oil, half the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper.
Mix well and spread into an even layer.
Roast for 25 minutes until the potatoes begin to turn golden around the edges.
Step 2: Prepare the Sea Bass
Pat the sea bass dry and make 2–3 shallow cuts on each side.
Season inside and out with sea salt and black pepper.
Stuff each fish with a few lemon slices and a little parsley.
Step 3: Assemble
Remove the tray from the oven.
Place the sea bass directly on top of the potatoes. Scatter over the remaining garlic, lemon slices and cherry tomatoes if using.
Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and lemon juice.
Step 4: Bake
Return to the oven and cook for 20–25 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
The potatoes underneath will absorb all the delicious juices from the fish, garlic and lemon.
Step 5: Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve straight from the tray with:
- Seasonal greens
- A crisp salad
- Crusty bread
- Homemade tartare sauce or garlic aioli
Chef’s Tip
For extra flavour, add a splash of white wine or fish stock to the tray before the fish goes into the oven. This creates a light, aromatic sauce while keeping the fish beautifully moist.
Cooking Time
- Preparation: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 45–50 minutes
- Total: 1 hour
The result is beautifully flaky sea bass resting on a bed of crispy, flavour-packed potatoes – simple, hearty and packed with fresh coastal flavours. 🎣🐟🍋🥔
