BRADY’S BAKED STRIPED BASS
(Serves four)
Brady loves to fish for striped bass with the fly rod. To J.W.’s consternation, he returns most of those that he catches. But once in a while he lands a “keeper” and actually keeps it, because he believes (though Zee disagrees) that freshly caught striped bass is the best-eating fish in the sea.
You need a fresh bass fillet. Brush both sides of the fillet with olive oil and lay it in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle the fillet with crushed Ritz cracker crumbs. Cover with very thin lemon slices. Dot generously with hunks of butter. Add salt and fresh-ground pepper. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 25 minutes. Serve with a robust white wine, a fresh seasonal green vegetable, and boiled baby red potatoes sprinkled with parsley. Delish.