Ecuadorian FoodBaked Sea Bass with Toasted Pumpkin Seed Crust and Chicha-Passion Fruit Sauce, with Rustic Green Plantain Mash
An original recipe inspired by Ecuador’s coast and highlands: sea bass fillets baked with an aromatic toasted pumpkin seed crust, served over a rustic green plantain mash and finished with a bright chicha de jora and passion fruit sauce. The result is a balanced, homey yet elegant dish with deeply Ecuadorian flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 filetes / 680 g 680 g sea bass fillets (skinless, of approx. 170 g each uno)
- 3 unidades / 900 g 900 g green plantains (pelados and cut en trozos)
- 80 g 80 g toasted pumpkin seeds (lightly crushed)
- 180 ml 180 ml chicha de jora (for the sauce)
- 120 ml 120 ml passion fruit pulp (with or without semillas)
- 120 g 120 g red onion (60 g chopped fina for the sauce and 60 g for the puree)
- 12 g 12 g garlic (chopped fino)
- 20 g 20 g cilantro (chopped)
- 40 g 40 g butter (divided)
- 45 ml 45 ml annatto oil (divided)
- 60 ml 60 ml heavy cream (for suavizar the puree)
- 70 g 70 g fresh cheese (desmenuzado)
- 30 ml 30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 g 2 g ground cumin (divided)
- 1 g 1 g dried oregano
- 10 g 10 g salt (or to taste)
- 2 g 2 g black pepper (or to taste)
- 720 ml 720 ml water (for cocer the verde)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F. Lightly grease a baking tray or dish with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) annatto oil.
- 2
2. Place the green plantain pieces in a pot with the water and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat for 18 to 20 minutes, until tender. Drain and reserve a little of the cooking liquid.
- 3
3. While the plantains cook, combine the crushed pumpkin seeds, half of the minced garlic, oregano, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) annatto oil, a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and half of the cilantro in a bowl.
- 4
4. Season the sea bass fillets with lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, salt, and pepper. Let them rest for 5 minutes.
- 5
5. Arrange the sea bass on the tray. Spread the pumpkin seed mixture on top, pressing gently to form a light crust. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F, until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
- 6
6. For the sauce, heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) annatto oil and 1 tablespoon (about 14 g) butter in a skillet. Sauté 60 g red onion and the remaining garlic for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicha de jora, passion fruit pulp, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until slightly reduced. Stir in a little cilantro at the end and turn off the heat.
- 7
7. For the rustic mash, heat the remaining butter in another skillet. Sauté the other 60 g red onion for 3 minutes. Add the cooked green plantain and mash it. Stir in the heavy cream, crumbled fresh cheese, and 2 to 4 tablespoons (30 to 60 ml) of the reserved cooking liquid if needed to adjust the texture. Season with salt and pepper, and mix in the remaining cilantro.
- 8
8. Serve a base of rustic green plantain mash on each plate, place a sea bass fillet on top, and finish with the chicha-passion fruit sauce around or over it. Serve hot.
Chef tips
Lightly toast the pumpkin seeds if they are not already toasted to deepen their aroma. Do not overbake the sea bass so it stays juicy. For a smoother sauce, you may strain it before serving.
Substitutions
You can replace sea bass with mahi-mahi or snook. If you cannot find chicha de jora, use a mixture of 120 ml mild broth and 60 ml unsweetened apple juice, though the flavor will be less traditional. Fresh cheese can be replaced with a mild farmer-style cheese.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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