Whole Grilled Parrot Fish Recipes

GRILLED WHOLE FISH, GREEK-STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high.
• Rinse the fish well under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Season the fish all over inside and out with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Brush each fish generously with 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil and place directly on the grill. Cook, turning occasionally and coating with more olive oil if necessary, until flesh flakes easily and fish is cooked through, about 6 minutes per side. Place fish on a platter. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine remaining olive oil with the lemon juice, parsley, and oregano. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve fish drizzled with the olive oil-lemon mixture.

GRILLED WHOLE FISH

Steps:

• Preheat grill for direct-heat grilling over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, drizzle cavity of each fish with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season generously with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Aromatics help keep whole fish moist while grilling. Stuff 1 fish cavity with lemon slices and dill and the other with lime slices, basil, and Thai chiles. If using just 1 filling, double amounts called for.
• Fasten each opening with a wooden skewer or toothpicks that have been soaked in water so they don't burn. This keeps the aromatics inside and also makes fish easier to handle on the grill.
• Using a paring knife, make long, 1/4-inch-deep diagonal slashes at 2-inch intervals on both sides of fish so they cook evenly throughout. This also allows any seasonings on skin (see step 5) to penetrate.
• Rub both sides of each fish with remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper, working all into slashes as well as heads and tails -- both are edible, and the tail becomes delightfully crisp when grilled.
• Brush hot grill with vegetable oil; immediately place fish on grill. Cook, undisturbed and uncovered, until undersides are charred and flesh along gills on undersides turns opaque, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Turn fish with 2 large spatulas. If they stick, wait a few seconds until skin sears enough to release cleanly. Grill on other side until charred and fish are just cooked through and opaque, 5 to 7 minutes more.
• Serve fish with lemon and lime wedges and more herbs. To serve, cut fillet free from top side of fish and remove with a spatula. Remove bones to free other fillet.

FILIPINO WHOLE GRILLED FISH WITH TOMATO-ONION SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to 400˚ F to 450˚ F: For a gas grill, preheat to high; for charcoal, heat enough coals for medium-high heat, layering the coals at least halfway to the cooking grate. Trim the top and side fins of the fish using kitchen scissors. Score the skin on both sides with 3 or 4 long diagonal slits. Pat dry with paper towels and bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the salsa: Stir together the tomatoes, red onion, scallions, fish sauce and soy sauce in a medium bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup in a separate bowl.
• Season the cavity of each fish with salt and pepper, then evenly stuff with the reserved 1/2 cup salsa. Use a metal skewer to pin the cavity shut. Brush the outside of the fish with the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the fish, turning once, until cooked through and the skin is slightly charred, 12 to 15 minutes per side. If the skin sticks a bit, carefully loosen with a metal spatula.
• Transfer the fish to a platter and let rest 10 minutes. Stir the lime juice into the remaining salsa. Spoon some of the salsa over the fish; serve the rest on the side.

WHOLE GRILLED FIESTA FISH

Steps:

• Add the cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, orange zest, lime zest, lemon zest, grapefruit zest, orange juice, oil, lime juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, agave, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 tablespoon pepper to a large re-sealable plastic bag and mix well.
• Add the fish and turn to coat, allowing the marinade to get inside the fish as well. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes, flip over and refrigerate 15 minutes more.
• Preheat the grill to a low heat setting. Using a paper towel, rub the grill grates liberally with the canola oil 7 to 10 times.
• Remove the fish from the marinade and stuff the cavity with the lemon slices, if using, and a couple tablespoons of the marinade and place on the hot grill. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, carefully turn over using a fish spatula and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the fish is flaky.
• While the fish is cooking, place the lemon halves cut-side down on the grill until lightly charred.
• Remove from the grill and cut the meat from the bones. Serve the fish with grilled lemons squeezed over top.

GRILLED WHOLE MEDITERRANEAN FISH WITH AGED SHERRY-VINEGAR-TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the fish on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Fill the cavities of both fish with orange slices, tarragon and parsley and place on the grill. Grill the fish for 6 to 7 minutes on each side. Remove from the grill, place on a platter and drizzle immediately with the Sherry Vinegar-Tarragon Vinaigrette.
• Combine vinegar, shallot, mustard, tarragon, and salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil until emulsified. Adjust seasoning.

JAMAICAN GRILLED FISH

Steps:

• Make a few slashes in the flesh on either side of the fish with a sharp knife. Mix the onion powder, paprika, thyme and some seasoning with the beer. Pour over the fish and rub into the slashes and cavity. Place the lime slices inside the fishes' bellies, cover with cling film and leave to marinate in the fridge for 1 hr.
• Heat the grill to medium-high. Place the fish on a tray and grill for 15-20 mins, depending on the size, turning halfway through. Baste the fish with a little beer as it cooks. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over.