Grilled Sea Bass with Swiss Chard and Potatoes

Summer is a time that sees an exodus of Slovenians to the coast - Slovenian and Croatian. It is also a time to enjoy fresh fish!

A very popular dish offered in many places on the coast of Slovenia and Croatia is grilled sea bass served with Swiss chard and potatoes. Swiss chard and potatoes is a side dish that originated in Dalmatia in Southern Croatia but has spread along the coast of Croatia to Slovenia and south to Montenegro.

Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Fish:

• 4 sea bass

• a few sprigs of rosemary

• olive oil

• mediterranean spice mix (optional)

• salt, pepper to taste

• lemon wedges

Swiss Chard and Potatoes:

• 800 g potatoes

• 800 g Swiss chard (blitva)

• 12 garlic cloves, minced

• 100 ml olive oil

• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Sea Bass:

1. The first step is buying fish. In a way, it is much easier to guarantee freshness with whole fish than with fish filets. The first thing you should do is look at the eyes: they should be clear (not cloudy) and plump. Avoid fish that has browned around the edges. Finally, smell the fish: it should still smell a bit like water and not be stinky. The fish is usually sold gutted, but it is better to check before buying. At most places they will prepare the fish for baking if you ask for it. Trout does not need to have scales removed before baking.

2. Rinse the fish and pat it dry. Season it with salt, pepper, Mediterranean spices, and rub it generously with olive oil (including the cavity). Place chopped rosemary into the cavity. If you want to prepare fish the day you buy it, season it as early as you can before baking. Otherwise, season it the night before baking so that it has enough time to marinate.

3. Cook the fish for 10 minutes on one side, and then flip over and cook for a further 7 minutes until the skin of the fish is golden. The best way to tell if the fish is done is by inserting a fork at an angle, at the thickest point, and twisting gently - it will flake easily when it's done.

Swiss Chard and Potatoes

1. Peel and roughly chop the potatoes into small pieces.

2. Add potatoes to a large pot and add enough water to cover completely.

3. Add 1 tsp of salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer at low heat for about 30 min.

4. Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to a boil. Wash the Swiss chard and blanch for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

5. Put olive oil into a large sauté pan over medium heat and once heated, add minced garlic. Fry until you can smell the garlic (about 30s- make sure you don’t burn it).

6. Add the potatoes and stir well.

7. Slice the Swiss chard into stripes and add it to the potatoes. Stir well and fry for another 3 minutes.

8. Season with salt and pepper, remove from heat and serve with grilled sea bass.