Pan-roasted Sea Bass with Citrus-Heirloom Tomato Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 1 cup seeded and chopped heirloom tomatoes
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon rind
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 (6-ounce) sea bass fillets, with skin
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Preparation

1. Combine tomatoes, sugar, and vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat; cook 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Stir in parsley and next 6 ingredients. Set aside.
2. Score fish skin diagonally two or three times (to prevent curling), and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sear fillets, skin-side down, in 1 teaspoon oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat about 2 minutes. Press fillets flat with a metal spatula to prevent curling. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake at 450° for 5 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork.
3. Serve fillets skin-side up. Spoon sauce over fillets.