Some Italian cooks would never combine cheese and seafood, but feel free to grate a little Pecorino Romano over the striped bass before serving. "In Puglia, fish and cheese go together," says Donatella.
An Italian Primitivo (a red varietal similar to Zinfandel) would be great with the fish and the pasta. Donatella prefers Primitivo di Manduria, a fruity, spicy style of red produced in Manduria, which is a city (as well as an area) in southern Puglia. She suggests the 2007 Feudi di San Gregorio Ognissole Primitivo di Manduria (Italy, $18), a balanced wine with aromas of cherries and strawberries and a spicy finish. If you can't find that specific bottle, look for the 2007 Vinosia Salento Primitivo (Italy, $10), a juicy, fragrant red wine with honey notes.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Boil wine in medium saucepan until reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and reserve.
Step 2
Generously brush 18x12x1-inch baking sheet with olive oil. Arrange fennel slices in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Top with onion slices in single layer. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle 4 tablespoons oil over vegetables.
Step 3
Rinse fish inside and out; pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle fish inside and out with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Lightly dust outside of fish with flour. Pour enough olive oil into extra-large skillet to reach depth of 1/4 inch; heat over medium-high heat until oil is very hot. Working with 1 fish at a time, add fish to skillet and fry until golden crust forms on skin, about 3 minutes per side. Carefully place fish atop vegetables on baking sheet. Gently stuff cavity of each fish with 2 crushed garlic cloves, then 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Pour reserved wine over vegetables on baking sheet.
Step 4
Roast fish uncovered until vegetables begin to soften, 35 to 40 minutes. Scatter tomato halves and olives around fish; bake until fish is just cooked through, about 15 minutes longer. Transfer fish to large platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Increase oven temperature to 475°F. Continue to bake vegetables uncovered until tender and tomatoes are very soft and beginning to color in spots, about 15 minutes longer.
Step 5
Arrange vegetable mixture around fish on platter. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle chopped fennel fronds over fish and serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
Recipe notes
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