6 ......................18-inch-long banana leaves, rinsed (see TIP)
3 ......................tablespoons minced fresh ginger
6 ......................scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced separately
2 ......................2-pound whole red snappers
1/4 ...................cup sherry
1/4 ...................cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 ...................cup vegetable oil
8 ......................large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 ......................fresh long red chiles, seeded and thinly sliced
**Salt**
1/2 ...................cup cilantro leaves
**Lime wedges, for serving**
1 . Light a grill and line the grate with lightly oiled heavy-duty aluminum foil. Arrange the banana leaves in two stacks of 3 and sprinkle each with one-fourth of the ginger and scallion whites. Cut 3 gashes into the flesh on both sides of each fish, cutting to the bone. Set the fish on the banana leaves and scatter the remaining ginger and scallion whites on top. Sprinkle with the sherry and soy sauce. Fold the leaves over the fish and tie each packet in 3 places with kitchen string.
2. Place the packets on the grate, close the grill and cook over high heat for 25 minutes, turning the packets once, until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the fish registers 140°. Carefully transfer the packets to a platter and let rest for 2 minutes. Cut them open and peel back the banana leaves.
3. Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat the oil. Add the garlic and chiles and cook over low heat, stirring, until the garlic is crisp, 2 minutes. Spoon the oil, garlic and chiles over the fish; season with salt. Scatter the cilantro and scallion greens on top and serve with lime wedges.
TIP:
Banana leaves are available in Latin and Asian markets.
SUGGESTED PAIRING:
Beer Chimay Red, a Belgian Trappist beer, has a fruity richness that balances the chiles here. For wine, try a lemony Semillon.
Heart healthy
Banana leaves are plentiful here in South Florida , I cook a lot of whole fish , deep fry them . This dish was on this morning , off to the store for the leaves , had four friends over and we had a feast , a salad and butter toasted French bread . ( each person had a whole fish , about one pound) The friends wanted the recipe , gave it t them and also gave them the Nee blog , she has terrific recipes that is quick and easy .
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much .
Kathy Whittin
Howdy Kathy ,
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear you enjoyed the fish , very tasty . We also had grilled fish today , fresh out the lake , I planted some banana plants at the cabin about 3 years ago ,family / friends love this dish ... we cooked trout instead of red snapper Hahaha ... that's what hubby / brother caught , along with brims/ perches / catfish/ bass , you can use salmon /cod or let your imagination run wild . Glad you visit Nee's Place , lots of great dishes and helpful hints and all her recipes ... like our recipes , we served them before posting ... as you can tell we have had these recipes a very long time . You guys have a nice dark Cuban beer that goes good with this dish ... a Ferrari - Carano fruity wine can be found in your local liquor store between $7/10 dollars a bottle . It's grilling time .