Bass

This simple preparation can be made with any firm white fish.

An easy dish that uses some traditional Japanese ingredients, including miso. Made from fermented soybeans, miso paste comes in various shades, with the darker ones being stronger in flavor. This recipe calls for white miso (also called shiro-miso), which is sweeter and more delicate.

Orange roughy or red snapper would also be delicious in this recipe.

Red-cooking is a Chinese method of braising in a soy sauce-based liquid. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This Yemenite-style dish incorporates a highly seasoned matzo meal coating that keeps the fish moist.

The mild spice paste is also great used as a base for chicken and shrimp curries.

The fish cooks in a delicious sauce of onions, parsley, anchovies, garlic, tomatoes and white wine. A large crouton is served alongside to soak up all the good flavors. To round out the menu, offer roasted artichokes, and to finish, a seasonal fruit compote with warm sabayon.

A lovely salad in which the citrus fruit strikes a nice balance with the fish.

A crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, would be nice with this dish.

(BRANZINO ARROSTO CON SALSA DI ASPARAGI) Salmon, flounder or snapper fillets can also be used for this attractive, colorful entrée.

This bright and sophisticated dish is offered at Gresslin's in London, England.

Active time: 1 3/4 hr Start to finish: 4 1/4 hr (includes making stock and rouille)

"I was in Boston on a business trip when I discovered the city's North End and its many old Italian restaurants," writes Jennifer Fassman of Westport, Connecticut. "After wandering around the small, quaint streets, I was surprised to find a bright, modern restaurant — Marcuccio's. I took the waiter's advice and ordered the sea bass with parsley sauce. It was incredible." At the restaurant, this entrée is served with sautéed broccoli rabe (also known as rapini). It would be great with spinach, too.

This recipe produces a deliciously moist fish with a subtly salty flavor.

For best results, use a grill basket. It should be big enough for the fish but snug enough to keep the fish and lemon slices from moving around. The one we used in the Bon Appétit test kitchen was 17 by 6 inches.