Baked Sea-bream

A historical recipe from The Book of Household Management, by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary) (1861).

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A historical recipe

The Book of Household Management, by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary) (1861). Project Gutenberg eBook #10136.

From an old book: a historical recipe, not current advice. Its methods, additives and storage may be unsafe by today's standards.

Ingredients 1 ingredient

Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.

Oven and hot trays. Use dry oven gloves for trays and dishes: a hot tray looks just like a cold one. Open the oven door away from your face and let the first rush of heat out.
Grill and open flame. Keep sleeves, hair and tea towels away from the flame, and stay with the grill while it's lit. Barbecue outdoors only, never in a closed space.

310.
INGREDIENTS.--1 bream.
Seasoning to taste of salt, pepper, and cayenne;
1/4 lb.
of butter.
Mode.--Well wash the bream, but do not remove the scales, and wipe away all moisture with a nice dry cloth.
Season it inside and out with salt, pepper, and cayenne, and lay it in a baking-dish.
Place the butter, in small pieces, upon the fish, and bake for rather more than 1/2 an hour.
To stuff this fish before baking, will be found a great improvement.
Note.--This fish may be broiled over a nice clear fire, and served with a good brown gravy or white sauce, or it may be stewed in wine.
THE SEA-BREAM.--This is an abundant fish in Cornwall, and it is frequently found in the fish-market of Hastings during the summer months, but it is not in much esteem.
MR.
YARRELL'S RECIPE.
"When thoroughly cleansed, the fish should be wiped dry, but none of the scales should be taken off.
In this state it should be broiled, turning it often, and if the skin cracks, flour it a little to keep the outer case entire.
When on table, the whole skin and scales turn off without difficulty, and the muscle beneath, saturated in its own natural juices, which the outside covering has retained, will be of good flavour."