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Poached Mediterranean Bass – Serendipitous

July 25, 2018 By Jittery Cook 8 Comments

My dear friend Carmela Mindel caught me just as I was heading into the fish store on Victoria. Good thing I mentioned where I was because she told me that she was recently inspired to make her mom’s Poached Mediterranean Bass and quickly listed the ingredients. Just 15 minutes later I walked out of the store with some delectable smoked salmon, a Mediterranean bass and fond memories of her mom’s family dinners with a gorgeous platter of delicate white bass and her homemade mayonnaise.  

Cooked Mediterranean bass on tray, skin and head removed, garnished with lemon and parsley

Poached Mediterranean Bass

  • 1 carrot, scrubbed, cut in 4
  • 1 onion, sliced, quartered
  • 1 lemon, juice and rind
  • handful of dill or parsley sprigs
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 t kosher salt
  • 4 T vinegar
  • 2 t Better than Bouillon seasoned vegetable base
  • 1 Mediterranean bass (2 pounds), cleaned, head and tail on, wrapped in cheesecloth
  • 1 T parsley, and parsley sprigs, as garnish
  • 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges, as garnish

Bass laid out on cheesecloth

Fill a fish poacher, or a roasting pan, almost half way with water, then add carrot, onion, lemon juice and rind, dill, bay leaf, salt  and bouillon. Simmer the court bouillon (poaching broth) for 6 minutes, then add the fish and simmer, covered for 15 minutes, turning the fish at halftime.  

Place the cooked fish on a serving platter, carefully removing the cheesecloth. Gently remove the head and skin from the top side of the fish and discard any visible fins and bones.

Sprinkle the parsley over the fish, place lemon around the fish and serve with Dijon Mayonnaise Sauce. Can be served hot, warm or cold. Serves 4 – 5. Warn diners to watch for bones.

ingredients for Poached Mediterranean Bass. On a cutting board, cleaned bass, quartered onion, carrot cut in 4, lemon, halved, vinegar, salt, bay leaf, vinegar, dill

Dijon Mayonnaise Sauce

  • 2 t capers
  • 1/4 c mayonnaise
  • 2 t Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a small bowl, combine ingredients.

Wanda Cukier’s Homemade Mayonnaise

Here’s the recipe from Carmela’s mom, Wanda Cukier.  

  • 1 egg yolk in bowl
  • salt and pepper
  • Dijon mustard
  • lemon juice
  • olive oil

In a medium-sized bowl, mix yolk, salt and pepper with a fork, always going in the same direction. Add a little Dijon mustard. Very slowly, drop by drop and mixing constantly, add lemon juice, then drop by drop olive oil.

Continue doing this until you have the amount of mayonnaise you want and the consistency you need.

If you mix the wrong way it all falls apart. Good luck if you decide to try it.

Mediterranean bass in a dinner plate with Dijon Mayonnaise sauce, sweet corn, tomato salad and onion corn bread. Glass of white wine on the side.

Poached Mediterranean Bass Print Ready Recipe

Final notes:

  • Happy to announce that my husband enjoyed the PMB with the DMS and a couple of knish. The sweet corn was swoon worthy.
  • This recipe for Poached Mediterranean Bass helped round out some sketchy details.
  • Looking for more info on making homemade mayonnaise?
  • To set the mood here are 10 great films set on the Mediterranean.
  • Every time anyone mentions poaching fish someone brings up cooking fish in the dishwasher. Is it safe? Can it be done? Maybe for small fillets but not for a whole fish? What do you think?
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Comments

  1. Mindy says

    July 25, 2018 at 8:05 am

    I love how your shopping morphs into friendship, shared recipes, and dinner! It almost sounds easy. It absolutely sounds fun!

    Reply
    • Jittery Cook says

      July 25, 2018 at 3:24 pm

      This recipe was easy – at least ingredient wise. I was a tad jittery about the timing, but it came out perfectly! Delighted to be able to recapture a wonderful meal from teenage years, especially after forgetting about it completely for many, many years.

      Reply
  2. Jovina Coughlin says

    July 25, 2018 at 9:02 am

    Looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Jittery Cook says

      July 25, 2018 at 3:24 pm

      Thanks Jovina. It’s a keeper.

      Reply
  3. Carmela says

    July 25, 2018 at 9:04 am

    So thoughtful to write about my mother’s delicious poached fish recipe, home made mayonnaise and your fond memories of her and her cooking.
    Your pictures are most appetizing. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Jittery Cook says

      July 25, 2018 at 3:27 pm

      Carmela, your timing was perfect! I must remember to call you next time I’m out grocery shopping for more inspiration. Your poached Mediterranean Bass suggestion was much appreciated!
      Your mom was one special lady. So many good memories!

      Reply
  4. susan schwartz says

    July 31, 2018 at 7:17 am

    mmm. looks like a lovely summer recipe.
    Thank you:)

    Reply
    • Jittery Cook says

      July 31, 2018 at 7:09 pm

      Thanks Susan! Perfect for close company cause there can be some bones.

      Reply

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