About
I really love cooking whole fish because not only is it a good way to buy a fish (you can check the quality on a whole fish easier than on cut up fish) you can impart lots of great flavor by stuffing the cavity with herbs and lemons. This dish incorporates flavors inspired by the food of Southeast Asia.
Serves 4
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Generously season inside the belly and both sides of the fish with salt and pepper. Place the fish on a roasting pan.
Combine the canola oil with the garlic, ginger, coriander, chili flakes, coconut milk, lime juice and zest in a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
Spoon the spice mixture over the snapper and bake for about 25-30 minutes, basting frequently. Bake the fish until a metal skewer can easily be inserted into the fish and, when left in for 5 seconds, feels warm.
While the fish is roasting, cook the rice. First, place the rice in a fine sieve and rinse under cool water until the water begins to run clear. Transfer rice to a medium pot; add water, season with a pinch of salt, add lemongrass and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the rice from heat, cover and let sit for another 10 minutes. When the rice is cooked, remove and discard lemongrass. Add the coconut milk and cilantro, gently stir to incorporate and season to taste with lime juice, salt and pepper.
To serve, spoon the coconut rice on to the middle of four plates. Fillet the snapper, running a knife lengthwise down the fish at about the center, to separate the side into two fillets, and then under the flesh to separate it from the bone. Carefully lift off each fillet and place on top of the rice. When the top fillets have been removed, lift off the fish bones and portion the bottom in the same manner. Plate the remaining fillets and spoon some of the sauce from the roasting pan over each portion. Finish each dish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and garnish with chiffonade of basil and cilantro.
Ingredients
The Red Snapper
4-pound whole red snapper, head on, scales removed and cleaned
⅓ cup canola oil
1 clove garlic, sliced
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon ground coriander seeds
½ teaspoon chili flakes
3 tablespoons coconut milk
- juice and zest of 1 lime
¼ cup basil chiffonnade
¼ cup cilantro chiffonnade
- fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 lime
The Coconut Rice
1 cup Jasmine rice
1 ½ cups water
½ stalk lemongrass
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon cilantro, julienne 1 lime
- fine sea salt and freshly ground white pepper
