Grilled Pancetta Wrapped Whole Fish With Fresh Herbs Recipes

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.

GRILL-ROASTED WHOLE FISH STUFFED WITH FRESH HERBS AND WRAPPED IN PANCETTA

Steps:

• Grilling Method: Indirect/Medium Heat
• Rinse fish and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper inside and out. Place fresh herbs inside cavity of fish. Lightly oil both sides of fish. Wrap seasoned, oiled fish with pancetta or bacon that is thinly sliced and unrolled. Wrap fish loosely, mummy-style, with the pancetta, leaving head and tail exposed.
• Place fish in center of cooking grate. Cook until opaque, but still moist in thickest part (10 to 15 minutes). Remove from grill.
• Place fish onto platter and serve immediately.

GRILLED PANCETTA WRAPPED RIVER FISH WITH THREE CABBAGE-RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, score the fish on each side. Season the inside with salt and pepper, and place 2 or 3 lemon slices inside the cavity of the fish. Rub the outside of each fish with the slice of ginger, and season the outside of the fish with salt and pepper. Wrap each fish with enough pancetta to cover the flesh, by laying the pancetta side by side in a shingled rectangle, and rolling the fish up in it.
• Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat the broiler. If cooking outdoors, spray the grill with nonstick cooking spray. Grill the fillets over high heat, turning once, until the pancetta is crispy, about 4 to 6 minutes per side or until the fish is cooked through.
• Plating: On a large oval plate, place a mound of the Three Cabbage Rice Salad and top with fish. Drizzle with a little reserved vinaigrette and sprinkle a dash of paprika on top.
• In a large bowl, combine the mustard, vinegar, chiles, cilantro, and whisk in the oil. Put aside a couple of tablespoons, for garnish.
• Add the cabbage and scallions and toss well. Season with the salt and pepper and allow to rest to flavor, about 3 minutes. Toss with rice and check for seasoning.

GRILLED SCALLOPS WRAPPED IN PANCETTA, WITH HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium. Brush scallops lightly with olive oil. Unravel pancetta into 6 thin strips. Cut strips to fit around the scallops' narrow rims. Wrap a strip of pancetta around each scallop, and thread scallops on 2 parallel skewers through the pancetta so they are easier to turn.
• In a large bowl, toss together arugula, butter lettuce, mint, fennel and orange zest. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt, and toss to mix. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Divide among 4 plates.
• Season scallops lightly on the top and bottom with salt. Grill until scallops and pancetta are crisp on edges and scallops are cooked through. Remove from grill and place on top of salads. Serve.

GRILLED BACON-WRAPPED FISH WITH HERBS

Steps:

• Rinse fish; pat dry. Sprinkle with salt. Place fresh herbs inside cut cavity of fish. Rub oil on both sides of fish, then wrap with bacon, leaving head and tail exposed. Heat grill. Set fish in center, then cover and cook 10-15 minutes, turning once, until opaque but still moist in thickest part. Remove from grill. Set bacon aside. Peel off top layer of skin. Slide fish onto serving platter. To serve, slide a wide spatula between flesh and bones, and lift out each portion. Serve with bacon on the side. Editor's Extra: Fresh herbs could be tarragon, thyme, basil, or marjoram, or a combination.