Leek-and-Chervil-Crusted Sea Bass

Executive Chef Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room Restaurant shares a healthier menu alternative.

Leek-and-Chervil-Crusted Line-Caught Sea Bass With Wild Rice, Lentil Ragout and Lemon-Scented Piperade

Leek and Chervil Crust Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup minced leeks, white part only, washed, patted dry
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/3 cup chopped chervil*, washed, patted dry
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
In skillet over medium heat, wilt leeks with olive oil. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place leeks in mixing bowl. Add chervil. Let cool.

*Chervil is a delicate herb, related to parsley.

Sea Bass Ingredients

  • 6 to 7 ounce sea bass fillets, pin bone out
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Spread leek and parsley mixture on sea bass. Heat olive oil in nonstick skillet at medium heat. Place sea bass mixture-side down in skillet. Cook 3 minutes without browning. Flip over. Cook additional 3 minutes, or until done.

Wild Rice and Lentil Ragout Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup black beluga lentils
  • 1/2 cup wild rice
  • 1/2 cup diced pancetta
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
  • 1/4 cup finely diced carrots
  • 1/4 cup finely julienned leeks, white only
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 quartered large button mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1/2 cup green peas
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Wash lentils and wild rice under running water in colander. Add pancetta to stock pot over medium-high heat. Render**. Add shallots, carrots, leeks, garlic, bay leaf and mushrooms. Cook 2 minutes. Stir in beluga lentils and wild rice. Pour in white wine and vegetable stock. Bring to simmer. Cook 20 minutes or until lentils are tender and black rice is split open. Fold in peas and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

**Render — to heat solid fat into a liquid.

Lemon-Scented Piperade Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, cut into slivers
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped onion
  • 1 cup seeded, diced sweet bell pepper
  • 1 cup peeled, seeded, diced tomato
  • 1 peeled, seeded, diced lemon
  • 20 pitted, chopped black Niçoise olives
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste

Directions
In medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onions and bell pepper. Cook 5 minutes. Do not allow vegetables to color. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Bring to boil. Lower heat. Cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fold in lemon and Niçoise olives. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Let stand 10 minutes. Pour in extra-virgin olive oil. Gently incorporate with wooden spoon. Season to taste.

Presentation
Place wild rice and lentil ragout in center of large, warm pasta plate. Top with fish. Spoon piperade sauce around. Garnish with 6 thyme sprigs.

Serves 6.

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For More Information
To learn more about Sharp's nutrition services or to find a Sharp-affiliated physician, search for San Diego doctors or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about nutrition, read the Nutrition News archive.