pan fried branzino + grapefruit avo salad

simple, flavorful & light for spring!

video below :)

I loveee branzino! Grilled, pan fried, roasted..any way it comes, it is my jam!

There’s this Italian restaurant, Cento Pasta Bar by my house here in LA that serves this whole grilled branzino with a simple grapefruit salad and it’s been on my mind literally for a week!

The meaty but lightness of the branzino pairs sooo well with the sweetness of the grapefruit!

I wanted to make it more weeknight friendly for you guys so instead of the whole branzino with bones and all I grabbed filets from the fish market. For the salad I added diced avocado to the grapefruit because the creaminess of the avocado adds a nice balance to the bright, tart & sweet grapefruit!

Hope you guys enjoy!

Hot saucie tip: if you can’t find branzino, grab some red snapper filets they are in the similar texture & taste family. Also, if you don’t like grapefruit (I get it) try with valencia or cara cara oranges or mix with both but trust me on the grapefruit!

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• 2 branzino filets

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil, for pan frying

• kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Grapefruit Avocado Salad

• 2 medium grapefruits, segmented

  • hot saucie tip: I linked a quick video above on how to segment a grapefruit (much easier to watch then me explaining it in words. The reason why you segment a grapefruit or any citrus really is to separate the edible, sweet segments from the bitter white pith and membranes which equals more enjoyable to eat!

• 2 tablespoons Italian flat leaf parsley, roughly torn off

• 1 firm but ripe avocado, diced

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

• flakey finishing maldon salt & fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

• a drizzle of GOOD extra virgin olive oil

  • hot saucie tip: you guys know I love Graza drizzle EVOO! Available online, Amazon, Whole Foods, Ralphs (here in LA) and World Market

Tools

• prep bowls

• wide sauté pan

• chef’s knife

• cutting board

Directions

1. Season branzino with kosher salt & black pepper.

2. Prepare the grapefruit avocado salad & set aside. The longer it sits the more the juices from the grapefruit will release….yum!

3. Heat a wide sauté skillet on medium heat with avocado oil. Add the branzino filets skin side down and let it cook for 3 minutes each side, depending on the thickness of the filet. Flip over and let it cook for another 3 minutes.

4. Serve the branzino in a wide plate topped with lots of grapefruit salad, another drizzle of EVOO & flakey salt. ENJOY!