Spicy Butter-Steamed Bass Recipe

Spicy Butter-Steamed Bass Recipe

  • 4 (7 ounce) sea bass or red snapper fillets with skin
  • 1 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into very thin matchsticks
  • 1 serrano chile, thinly sliced
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 lime, finely zested
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish
  • Sliced scallion, for garnish
  1. With a knife, make 4 shallow slashes in the skin of each fish fillet and place them in a large glass or ceramic pie plate, skin side up. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, chile, garlic, and lime zest and sprinkle the mixture over the fish. Season with salt and pepper and dot with the butter. Drizzle the lime juice on top.
  2. Make a steamer by arranging 3 small balls of aluminum foil in a very large, deep skillet. Add 1 inch of water to the skillet and bring to a boil. Carefully set the pie plate on the foil balls, cover the skillet with a tight fitting lid or aluminum foil and steam for 5 minutes, or until the fish flakes with a fork. Using a spatula, transfer the fillets to shallow bowls and spoon the buttery broth on top. Garnish with the cilantro and scallion and serve.