PROSCIUTTO-WRAPPED BRANZINO WITH FENNEL, CHILE AND HERBS

Prosciutto-Wrapped Branzino with Fennel, Chile and Herbs image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
1 blood orange, cut into segments
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup oil-cured black olives
1 teaspoon chile flakes
A few sprigs oregano, leaves stripped and roughly chopped
1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
Pinch fennel pollen
Salt and pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
4 whole branzino, cleaned
4 lemons, 2 sliced and 2 cut in half
1 small bunch fresh oregano
1 bunch fresh parsley
10 cloves garlic, crushed
4 red Fresno chiles, split
1 to 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus for drizzling
Salt and pepper
12 to 16 slices prosciutto (thin but not shaved)
1/2 cup dry vermouth

Steps:

For the fennel slaw: In a large bowl, combine the fennel, blood oranges, red onions, olives, chile flakes, oregano, parsley and fennel pollen. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and toss well.
For the branzino: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Stuff the branzino with the sliced lemons, oregano, parsley, garlic, Fresno chiles and fennel seeds. Sprinkle inside and out with salt and pepper.
Shingle three or four slices of prosciutto on a work surface. Wrap a branzino tightly in the shingled prosciutto and secure with a couple pieces of butcher's twine. Repeat for the remaining branzino.
Drizzle the fish with olive oil, then place on the prepared baking sheet and douse with the vermouth. Roast for about 10 minutes on each side, or until the prosciutto has browned. Cut away the twine and serve.
While the fish is in the oven, heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the four lemon halves and cook until browned. Douse over the fish when served.