Sea Bass and Charred Courgette Almond Salsa
with Roasted Butternut Couscous
- Celery
- Cereals containing gluten
- Nuts
- Fish
- May contain traces of allergens
- Celery
- Soya
- Sesame
- Nuts
- Peanut
This delicious Sea Bass and Charred Courgette Almond Salsa has been expertly designed by our chefs as a lighter option to help with a balanced lifestyle.
Ingredients
1
Butternut Squash
1
Courgette
(May be present: Celery)
½
Lemon
10
Vegetable Stock Paste
(Contains: Celery)
120
Couscous
(Contains: Cereals containing gluten May be present: Soya)
15
Flaked Almonds
(Contains: Nuts May be present: Sesame, Nuts, Peanut)
2
Sea Bass Fillets
(Contains: Fish)
Not included in your delivery
240
Water for the Couscous
1.5
Olive Oil for the Salsa
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7.
Trim the butternut squash, halve lengthways, then scoop out the seeds (peel first if you prefer). Cut into 1cm chunks and pop onto a large baking tray.
Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, then toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer. TIP: Use two baking trays if necessary.
When the oven is hot, roast on the top shelf until soft and golden, 25-30 mins. Turn halfway through.
Meanwhile, trim the courgette, then quarter lengthways. Cut into 1cm chunks. Zest and halve the lemon.
Squeeze a little lemon juice into a medium bowl. Add the olive oil for the salsa (see pantry for amount) and season with salt and pepper.
Stir to combine, then set your salsa dressing aside.
Pour the water for the couscous (see pantry for amount) and veg stock paste into a saucepan and bring to the boil.
When boiling, remove from the heat, stir in the couscous and pop a lid on the pan. Leave to the side for 8-10 mins or until ready to serve.
Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan on medium heat (no oil).
Once hot, add the flaked almonds and dry-fry, stirring regularly, until lightly toasted, 3-4 mins. TIP: Watch them like a hawk as they can burn easily.
Once toasted, transfer the almonds to a small bowl. Pop the (now empty) pan back on high heat (no oil).
When hot, add the courgette and cook until charred, 6-8 mins total. Turn only every couple of minutes - this will result in the courgette picking up some nice colour.
Once cooked, season with salt and pepper, then transfer half the courgette to the bowl of dressing and the other half to the pan of couscous (putting the lid back on after).
Once the butternut has roasted, fluff up the couscous with a fork and stir through the butternut and lemon zest.
Taste and season with salt, pepper and lemon juice if needed. Cover with a lid to keep warm, then set aside.
Wipe out the frying pan if necessary, then pop back on medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil.
Pat the sea bass dry with kitchen paper, then season with salt and pepper.
Once hot, carefully place the fish into the frying pan, skin-side down. Cook for 3-4 mins before turning over and cooking for 2-3 mins on the other side. TIP: To get crispy skin on the fish, don't move it around when it's cooking skin-side down. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw fish. The fish is cooked when opaque in the middle.
When ready, spoon the couscous into your bowls and place the fish on top.
Stir the toasted almonds through the courgette salsa, then spoon all over the fish to finish.
Enjoy!
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Aug 2026- Flavour: The sea bass and charred courgette salsa are widely praised, with the toasted almonds a particular highlight. Some found the couscous and overall dish a little bland, and suggest adding fresh herbs, chilli, or garlic to lift the flavour.
- Ease of prep: Most find this straightforward to prepare, though a few note the multiple steps — roasting, charring, and pan-frying — can feel time-consuming on a busy evening.
- Suggestions: Adding fresh herbs, chilli, or a light pesto to the couscous helps boost flavour; a small drizzle of sauce or dressing over the fish rounds the dish off nicely. Some also recommend adding a little oil when charring the courgette, and seasoning the fish generously before cooking.
- Portions: A few felt the fish portions were on the small side relative to the couscous; reducing the couscous slightly or requesting larger fillets can help balance the dish.
- Texture: Cooking the couscous carefully and fluffing it well with a fork helps avoid a soggy result; some found it improved with a squeeze of lemon juice stirred through before serving.
Explore Similar Recipes
