Instructions
Begin by seasoning the 6 sea bass fillets generously with salt and pepper. To ensure the skin crisps beautifully and cooks evenly, carefully slash the skin three times with a sharp knife—this also allows the heat to penetrate more effectively. Heat a heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat and pour in 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, gently place the sea bass fillets skin-side down into the pan. Fry for about 5 minutes, resisting the urge to move them, so that the skin forms a golden, crisp crust. You'll notice the flesh turns opaque as it cooks almost through. Flip each fillet carefully using a spatula and cook for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute on the other side—just enough to finish cooking without drying out the fish. Remove the fillets to a warm serving plate to keep cozy, and repeat this process in two batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Now, increase the heat slightly and add 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil to the same pan. Add the large knob of ginger, peeled and sliced into thin matchsticks, along with the thinly sliced garlic cloves and the shredded red chillies. Stir-fry these aromatics for about 2 minutes until they become golden and fragrant—be careful not to burn the garlic as it will turn bitter. Remove the pan from the heat and toss in the shredded spring onions, allowing the residual warmth to soften them slightly without losing their fresh crunch. Finally, splash the sea bass fillets with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for a salty, umami finish, and spoon the sizzling ginger, chilli, and spring onion mixture evenly over the top. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrasting textures and lively flavors. For an extra tip, use a non-stick or well-seasoned pan to ensure the skin doesn’t stick and breaks away cleanly during cooking.