Grilled Whole Fish
- 1 (2 1/2-pound) whole fish, such as red snapper, scaled, gutted, and trimmed
- 1 large shallot, coarsely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Make 3 to 4 parallel cuts (1 1/2 inches apart) into fish, slicing into the flesh at a 45-degree angle, down to the bone. Combine shallot, garlic, herbs, lemon zest and juice, salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a blender. Process until combined. (Marinade should still have a chunky texture.) Place fish in a shallow dish; pour marinade over fish, turning to coat both sides and pressing into cuts. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, light one side of grill, heating to medium-high heat (350u0b0 to 400u0b0) heat; leave other side unlit.
- Wipe excess marinade from fish; brush fish with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place fish on well-oiled grates directly over heat; grill 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully turn fish using 2 oiled metal spatulas, and place on unlit side; grill, covered with grill lid, 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a knife.
- How to Spot a Fresh Fish: Look for scales that are firmly attached and glistening with moisture. The eyes should be bright and clear; the gills should be vibrant and show no sign of drying out. Does the fish smell like fish? If so, then it's a no-go. Good, pristine-quality seafood smells only of the sea, violets, and scents of melon and cucumber.
- What to Drink White Wine Wisdom. Sauvignon blanc is the ideal complement to grilled fresh fish. Here are my top three picks: Sanford Sauvignon Blanc, $26; sanfordwinery.com Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, $29; duckhorn.com Groth 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $20; grothwines.com
fish, shallot, garlic, parsley, tarragon, fresh mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, olive oil
Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-whole-fish (may not work)