Ingredients:

  • 1 whole sea bass (about 2-3 pounds), cleaned and scaled
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 lemons (one sliced, one juiced)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs for stuffing
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Rinse the sea bass under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make three diagonal slashes on each side of the fish.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dill, salt, and pepper.
  4. Rub this seasoning mixture generously all over the fish—inside and out—as well as into the slashes you made earlier.
  5. If desired, place some lemon slices and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary inside the cavity of the fish for additional flavor.
  6. Line a large baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
  7. Place the seasoned sea bass in the prepared baking dish. Arrange any remaining lemon slices around it.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for about 25–30 minutes or until cooked through—the flesh should be opaque and flake easily when poked with a fork.
  9. Remove from oven; let rest for a few minutes before transferring to a serving platter. Serve with extra lemon wedges on top for squeezing over as desired.