Herb Stuffed Whole Fish Recipes

FISH STUFFED WITH HERBS, WALNUTS AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 475 degrees. Set a large frying pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When oil shimmers, add shallots and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes until the shallots are tender and golden brown.
• Meanwhile, place herbs, scallions, garlic and walnuts in a large bowl. Stir well with a wooden spoon to combine.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the pan, then add the herb mixture. Add a generous pinch of salt and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until herbs begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
• Combine zest, orange juice and lime juice in a small bowl or glass. Add 6 tablespoons of the juice mixture to the herbs and cook another 4 minutes, until the taste of raw garlic subsides and the liquid simmers away. Add pomegranate molasses and tobiko, if using. Cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes, until molasses is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Season the fish with salt, inside and out. Lay the fish open on a cutting board and drizzle 1 tablespoon juice mixture onto the flesh of each fish. Spoon about 1/4 cup stuffing inside each fish and tie closed with kitchen twine spaced 2 inches apart.
• Lightly drizzle a baking sheet with olive oil and lay fish on the sheet. Drizzle remaining juice over fish. Roast until flesh is opaque, flaky and firm to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

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.

LEMON HERB FISH STUFF - IDEAL FOR BASS.

Steps:

• Note: this is for a 1.
• 5 to 2 lb fish so adjust your proportions accordingly.
• Gut and clean the fish.
• Place fish on a piece of aluminum foil large enough to wrap the whole thing up on both sides.
• Coat the inside of the fish with one tablespoon of olive oil, and toss in a teaspoon of kosher salt.
• Cut lemon into 3/4" wedges and place three of them inside the fish (save the rest of the lemon for tea or something else).
• Stuff the herbs and garlic into the fish, saving a few leaves of basil for the outside.
• Coat the outside of the fish with the other tablespoon and a half of olive oil, sprinkle with a half teaspoon of kosher salt.
• Toss on a few leaves of basil and fold over the foil to the whole thing is covered.
• You'll want a little space so the fish can steam.
• This is where all the taste and herb flavor infusion comes from.
• Put the whole wrapped up and stuffed fish on the grill.
• Grill on medium heat for 5-7 minutes on either side (it's okay to peek) til fish flakes.
• Serve with lemon wedges.
• I like to keep the head on and pick it off the bone.
• Filet if you have a large fish.
• Enjoy.

WHOLE STUFFED ROAST FISH WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the fennel and onion in a large roasting tin and toss with 2 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice and plenty of seasoning. Roast for 20 mins until almost tender and starting to caramelise. Meanwhile, put the couscous in a medium bowl. Mix the saffron and hot stock, pour over the couscous and cover with cling film.
• Rinse the fish with cold water inside and out, then pat dry. Slash deeply on both sides and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of the lemon zest. After 10 mins soaking, fluff up the couscous with a fork and add 2 tbsp lemon juice, the remaining zest, the dill, 1 tbsp pine nuts and seasoning to taste. Stuff the couscous into the cavity of each fish, reserving any leftover couscous for later.
• Stir the tomatoes and currants into the tin. Sit the fish on top and roast for about 30 mins, depending on its size. Look for juices running from the slashes in the flesh. Tug gently on the back fin - if it comes away easily, the fish is cooked.
• 4 Scatter with the rest of the pine nuts, then serve from the tin, with lemon wedges for squeezing over. Serve one stuffed fish per person, or if you have cooked large fish, gently lift the fillets from the top of the fish first, then turn over and repeat. Share out the couscous stuffing and leftover couscous.

HERB-STUFFED BLUEFISH

Steps:

• Preheat grill or broiler to high. Season fish with salt and pepper. Cut half the lemon into thin slices, and stuff cavity with lemon slices and herbs. Coat outside of fish with oil.
• Place fish on grill or rimmed baking pan, and grill or broil until skin is charred and fish is firm to the touch, about 6 minutes. Flip fish, and grill or broil until just cooked through, about 6 minutes more.
• Let rest 3 minutes. Remove top fillet by sliding a spatula between flesh and backbone (flesh should easily release), then pull out backbone. Remove bottom fillet. Squeeze remaining lemon half over fish, and serve.