Mediterranean Grilled Whole Snapper with Fennel and a Pernod Butter Sauce

Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, 2004

Show: Episode:

Picture of Mediterranean Grilled Whole Snapper with Fennel and a Pernod Butter Sauce Recipe Photo: Mediterranean Grilled Whole Snapper with Fennel and a Pernod Butter Sauce Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 1 Review
Total Time:
1 hr 0 min
Prep
35 min
Cook
25 min
Yield:
4 to 6 servings
Level:
Intermediate
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

Ingredients

  • 1 whole red snapper, about 3 pounds, gills, gut and scales removed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 heads fennel
  • 6 sprigs thyme
  • 2 sprigs oregano
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon Pernod
  • Reserved fennel leaves, from above
  • 6 tablespoons butter, in pieces
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the grill to high.

Rinse the snapper in clean water. Pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Remove any large fins with sharp kitchen shears. Season the inside of the fish with salt and pepper.

Remove the leafy green tops from the fennel heads. Using the greens from 1 of the fennel heads, stuff the inside of the fish. Reserve the fennel bulbs and the remaining greens. Add the thyme and oregano and press closed. Make 3 diagonal slices on each side of the fillet. Cut down to the bone. Insert 1 lemon slice into each slit. Brush the whole fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Clean the surface of the grill with a grill brush. Brush the surface of the hot grill with olive oil. Place the stuffed red snapper on the preheated grill at a 45 degree angle and cook for about 10 minutes or until the fish easily lifts off the grill. With 2 spatulas, carefully turn 90 degrees and continue to cook another 5 minutes. Turn fish and cook the other side to desired doneness, at least another 10 minutes. Do not overcook.

Meanwhile, cut the reserved fennel bulbs into 1/4-inch slices. Drizzle with olive oil and place on the grill. Grill until tender and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove to a platter and keep warm.

For the sauce: Place a small saucepan on the grill or on a burner over medium heat. Add the water and bring to a simmer. Add the lemon juice and Pernod and reduce by 1/3. With the remaining reserved fennel leaves, remove the tender inner leaves and chop finely. You should have about 1/4 cup chopped fennel. Set aside. Remove the water/lemon mixture from the heat and whisk in the butter, a few pieces at a time. When the butter is incorporated, add the chopped fennel leaves and whisk well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

When the fish is cooked and the flesh is opaque and lifts easily from the bone, carefully remove using 2 sturdy metal spatulas and place on a platter.

Serve the fish with some of the Pernod butter sauce and grilled fennel.

Print Recipe

Browse Reviews by Keywordnew!

Loading review filters...

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be logged in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 1 reviews

  • on September 26, 2011

    Flag

    Fantastic and very dramatic when done and on the table. I didn't have the pernod so I used white wine instead.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
Advertisement

What's Hot

Iron Chef America

Hosted by: Alton Brown

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google

© 2013 Television Food Network G.P. All rights reserved.