Recipes

Whole Snapper

2 Mins read
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Introduction

The Whole Snapper is a delectable seafood dish that brings together the richness of red snappers with an array of fresh ingredients, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors. This recipe takes center stage in family dinners and gourmet meals alike, making it a timeless favorite among culinary enthusiasts who appreciate both tradition and innovation.

Tips for this Recipe

To elevate your Whole Snapper experience, consider the following tips: use quality ingredients, especially with olive oil and lemon juice; allow ample time for marination to enhance flavor penetration; and carefully monitor cooking temperatures using a sous vide or reliable kitchen tools.

Why you will love this recipe

The Whole Snapper isn’t just another fish dish—it’s an adventure in taste that combines the subtle sweetness of red snappers with bold, aromatic flavors from garlic and citrus. Its versatility allows for customization according to dietary preferences while still offering a rich sensory experience that you won’t soon forget.

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
2 Spanish onions
thinly sliced
2 large cloves garlic chopped plus 4 whole garlic cloves
pitted lemon juice from 2 lemons
2 (4-pound) whole red snappers with head and tail intact
1 small tomato sliced
ribs of celery halved crosswise

Advised Equipment

– Non-Stick Skillet: Ideal for sautéing or searing ingredients without sticking.
– Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate spice measurements.
– Digital Food Scale: Ensures consistent ingredient amounts in recipes.
– Air Fryer: Offers a healthier cooking method by creating a crispy exterior without extra fat.
– Sous Vide Cooker: Achieves precise temperature control for tender and evenly textured fish.
– Steamer Basket or Steaming Rack: Utilized in steaming the fish to maintain low fat content.
– Garlic Press: Aids in quickly mincing garlic, enhancing flavor efficiency.
– Kitchen Timer or Clock: Guarantees precise cooking for optimal doneness.

History of the Recipe

Red snapper has a storied history, serving as an integral part of coastal culinary traditions across various cultures. The Whole Snapper recipe emerged from these rich heritages, adapting traditional techniques with contemporary cooking methods to create a dish that honors its roots while embracing innovation.

Fun Facts about This Recipe

100% Originating from the seaside ambiance of coastal kitchens, this Whole Snapper recipe marries simplicity with a depth of flavor that’s deeply rooted in culinary history. The use of key limes and cilantro adds an exotic flair to the dish, showcasing how local ingredients can create globally influenced masterpieces.

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Whole Snapper

Whole Snapper

amanda

Equipment

  • - Non-Stick Skillet: Ideal for sautéing or searing ingredients without sticking, ensuring easy cleanup and even cooking.

  • - Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurately measuring spices and marinades to enhance the flavor of Whole Snapper.

  • - Digital Food Scale: For precise measurements when following recipes, ensuring consistency in ingredient amounts.

  • - Air Fryer: Offers a healthier alternative for cooking fish by circulating hot air and creating a crispy exterior while maintaining moisture inside.

  • - Sous Vide Cooker: For precise temperature control, resulting in perfectly tender Whole Snapper with evenly cooked texture throughout.

  • - Steamer Basket or Steaming Rack: Helps in steaming the fish without adding extra fat, keeping it light and healthy.

  • - Garlic Press: Makes mincing garlic for your marinade quicker and more efficient, enhancing flavor quickly.

  • - Kitchen Timer or Kitchen Clock: Ensures precise cooking time to achieve the desired doneness of Whole Snapper.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 2 Spanish onions, peeled and thinly sliced

  • 2 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped, plus 4 cloves whole garlic, peeled

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Juice of 2 lemons

  • 2 (4-pound) whole red snappers, cleaned, with head and tail intact

  • 1 small tomato, sliced

  • 2 ribs celery, halved crosswise

  • Juice of 10 Key limes or small thin-skinned limes, plus 4 limes cut into quarters for serving

  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

  • 1 (12- by 18-inch or larger) roasting pan

Instructions

1

Instruction 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2

Instruction 2

In a large sauté pan over moderate heat, warm the oil. Add the onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Add 3/4 cup wine and the bay leaves and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering until the onions are tender and the wine is slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the butter then remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice.
3

Instruction 3

Arrange the snappers, side by side, in a 12- by 18-inch or larger roasting pan. Stuff the cavity of each fish with about 1/4 cup of the onion mixture, along with the whole garlic, tomato slices, and celery. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the remaining onion mixture over the fish then pour half the lime juice on and around the fish and add 2 cups of water to the pan. Wrap the pan snugly with foil and roast for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue roasting until the fish is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes longer. Remove any onion from the top of the fish then carefully transfer the fish to a large serving platter (do not discard the onion or juices remaining in the pan). Drizzle the remaining lime juice over the fish and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
4

Instruction 4

Scrape the onion and juices from the roasting pan into a medium saucepan. Add the remaining 1/4 cup white wine and 1/4 cup water, and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering until slightly reduced, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer.
5

Instruction 5

Garnish the fish with cilantro and serve with the reduced pan sauce and lime wedges.
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