Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs

Name: Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 (2 lb) whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled, cleaned, scaled; 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 2 lemons, thinly sliced; 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 4 fresh rosemary sprigs; 8 fresh thyme sprigs; 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 2 tbsp capers, drained, drained

A whole red snapper stuffed with fragrant herbs, lemon, and garlic, then grilled until the skin is crispy and the flesh flakes at the touch. Plan ahead: score and season the fish at least 30 minutes before grilling.

45 minMediumServes 4330 cal/serving

MediterraneanDinnerGrillPescatarianHigh ProteinLow CarbHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 (2 lb) whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled, cleaned, scaled
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 lemons, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
4 fresh rosemary sprigs
8 fresh thyme sprigs
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tbsp capers, drained, drained

Instructions

1

Pat the 2 (2 lb) cleaned, scaled whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled dry inside and out with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make 3-4 diagonal slashes about 1 inch deep on each side of each fish, cutting down to the bone. This helps the fish cook evenly and allows seasonings to penetrate.
2

Brush the fish inside and out - including the slashes - with 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil. Season generously with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stuff the cavity of each fish with 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves, a few 2 thinly sliced lemons slices, 4 fresh rosemary sprigs, and 8 fresh thyme sprigs. Let the fish rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (400-425°F). Brush the grates very well with oil - whole fish tends to stick.
4

Lay the stuffed fish on the grill. Do not move it for 8-10 minutes; the fish releases naturally once the skin is crispy. Carefully slide a wide spatula under the fish and flip. Grill the second side for another 8-10 minutes.
5

The fish is done when the internal temperature at the thickest part reads 145°F (63°C) and the flesh flakes easily when tested with a fork near the backbone.
6

Transfer to a platter. Lay remaining lemons slices over the top and scatter 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley and 2 tbsp drained capers, drained around the fish. Drizzle with additional extra-virgin olive oil and serve immediately, filleting at the table.

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Questions

What oven temperature does Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs need?

For Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs, the oven is set to 425 F (about 220 C) in step 3. The target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why pat it dry first in Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs?

Step 1 reads: "Pat the 2 (2 lb) cleaned, scaled whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled dry inside and out with paper towels." Surface water has to boil off before anything can brown. Drying at step 1 means the food sears in the first minute instead of steaming.

Is there a substitute for capers in Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs?

The entry for Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs calls for 2 tbsp capers, drained, drained. In its place: Chopped green olives give the same briny pop.

Can I use a different white fish instead of the fish in Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs?

Yes. Any firm white fish of similar thickness works: cod, haddock, pollock and halibut are interchangeable here. Timing follows thickness, not species. As written, the entry for Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs uses 2 (2 lb) whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled, cleaned, scaled.

Is Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs low-carb?

A serving of Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs carries 6 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of it fiber. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 30 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 6 percent.

Does Grilled Whole Snapper with Herbs contain fish?

Yes: 2 (2 lb) whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled, cleaned, scaled. The full allergen list for this entry is fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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