Skip to Content
Recipes

How Francesca Marsetti Fuses Branzino with Japanese Flavors

Our contributor shares a recipe from Italian fusion Chef, Francesca Marsetti that marries Branzino and Stracciatella with Teriyaki Sauce.

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki Sauce. Photo courtesy of Francesca Marsetti.

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki Sauce. Photo courtesy of Francesca Marsetti.

Sesame-crusted Branzino with Stracciatella and Teriyaki Sauce is a signature dish of Chef Francesca Marsetti. This mouthwatering marriage of Italian and Japanese ingredients is what she auditioned with for a spot on the cooking show, La Prova del Cuoco.

Despite the simplicity of its preparation, it packs a flavorful punch. Coating Mediterranean branzino (seabass) in sesame seeds, she lightly pan-fries the fish in extra virgin olive oil. Once cooked, she plates it and layers Pugliese stracciatella on top, before drizzling teriyaki sauce over it.

The dish is garnished with polenta chips, a nod to her home city of Bergamo (in the region of Lambardy), where polenta is a star item on menus.

Check out the recipe below and give Italian / Japanese fusion a try. You won't regret it!

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki

Recipe by Francesca Marsetti
0.0 from 0 votes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

8

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1 whole Branzino (seabass), about 2 pounds

  • 1/2 pound 1/2 stracciatella cheese (from burrata)

  • 3/4 cup 3/4 sesame seeds (blend of black and white)

  • 1 cup 1 teriyaki sauce

  • 20 20 (approx) polenta chips

  • 1 tbsp. 1 extra virgin olive oil

  • Salt & pepper

Directions

  • Slice the branzino into filets and season with salt and pepper. 
  • Coat the meat side of the fish with the sesame seed mixture (do not coat the skin side).
  • Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet. 
  • Cook the fish fillets on medium heat, for approximately 4 minutes on each side. 
  • Once cooked, plate the branzino and add a layer of stracciatella cheese on top. 
  • Garnish with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and crispy polenta chips.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @appetitomagazine on Instagram and hashtag it with #italianfoodanddrink

Like this recipe?

Follow @Appetitomagazine on Pinterest

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

An Italian-Inspired Beef Stew

A recipe for an Italian beef stew was inspired by memories of grandmother and is perfect for the cold, winter months.

January 17, 2025

Serie A: Juventus-AC Milan, Atalanta-Napoli, Zucchini and Onion Frittata

In this new column, Justin Patulli selects key Serie A matches for the coming weekend and suggests Italian snacks for pairing.

January 16, 2025

Brutto ma Buono: This Italian Meatloaf is “Ugly but Good”

We recommend this recipe for an Italian meatball inspired meatloaf that makes up in taste for what's lacking in appearance.

January 15, 2025

Serie A Soccer: Embracing a Culture of Food and Fun

Introducing our new column about Italian football, in which Justin Patulli selects key Serie A matches and suggests Italian snacks.

January 14, 2025
See all posts