Sea Bass Citrus Noodles

This is a light and delicate dish perfect for a summer’s evening meal. It is also a very shareable dish, I suggest to serve as part of a bigger meal of sashimi, sushi and salads - any of my recipes here can be used for Japanese style tapas eating. Originally this recipe was developed by my very talented husband David, a fellow chef with extraordinary skills and taste buds and who happily lets me share this recipe here for you to enjoy. David’s originally version was with seasonal coastal sea bass in a light tempura batter, but here adjusted for the home cook with pan fried sea bass instead.

4 medium sized fillets of sea bass

200 grams dried soba noodles

300 grams gai choy or bok choy

1/2 cucumber 4 spring onion

10 grams pre-toasted sesame seeds

300 ml. orange juice

100 yuzu juice (or lemon juice)

50 grams honey

50 ml. mirin

50 ml. sushi vinegar

20 ml. soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornflour

sunflower oil for noodles and frying

dash of sesame oil for the sea bass

salt and pepper for seasoning

First cook the soba noodles by bringing a large pot of salted water to the boil. Have a cup of cold water next to the pot whilst cooking the noodles and add a splash whenever the water rises to the surface instead of turning the heat down. The noodles need 7-8 minutes cooking until just al dente. When ready drain in a colander, rinse for a few seconds under the cold tap, leave to drain and then dress in 1 teaspoon of sunflower oil.

To make the citrus sauce combine orange juice, yuzu, mirin, soy sauce, sushi vinegar and honey in small sauce pan and gently bring it to just before boiling point and whisk to combine. Dissolve cornflour in cold water and gradually whisk into the sauce for an even texture similar to that of single cream.

Prepare a steamer for the greens. Wash the greens and steam for 2 minutes until just cooked. Place the steamer on a plate and leave green inside to rest whilst preparing the rest of the dishes.

Prepare the spring onions and the cucumber. First wash, then peel and trim spring onions, cut in half on the length and thereafter into fine strips julienne style. Cut the cucumber in quarters on the length, remove seeds and thereafter into fine strips julienne style. Set aside.

Now prepare the sea bass; cut each fillet in 3 pieces by cutting on a the ankle for diamond shaped pieces, season with salt and pepper. Slit each fillet with 2 cuts. Now fry the sea bass, adding oil to a pan, heat and place sea bass fillets skin side down. Let the skin take color and crisp, then turn fillets and fry for another 2 minutes until just cooked through. You want the fillet to still be translucent inside so that it is just finishing cooking as the dish is put down in front of you.

Now to assemble this dish: add the noodles to the saucepan with the sauce, heat through. Divide noodles between 4 serving shallow bowls and ladle the sauce on top. Place the greens on top, add 3 pieces of sea bass per dish balancing on top, drizzle with sesame oil and season with flaky sea salt and pepper. Garnish with cucumber and spring onion. Ready to serve.