Crispy Whole Gulf Fish
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 servings
- Total: 1 hr 50 min
- Active: 1 hr 30 min
Ingredients
Guava Garlic Ketchup:
3 roasted red peppers, peeled and seeded
2 pounds roasted Roma tomatoes, skinned and seeded
1 bulb garlic, roasted
1 jar guava paste
1/2 white onion, chopped
2 cups sugar
2 cups white vinegar
1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Barbecued Sweet Onions:
1 cup thinly sliced sweet red or Vidalia onions
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar, light or dark
2 teaspoons cane vinegar
Salt and pepper
"Crab Boiled" Red Potatoes:
1 1/2 pounds baby red potatoes
1/2 cup seafood boil seasoning
Garlic Wilted Greens:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
8 ounces mild baby braising greens or leaf spinach
1 teaspoon cane vinegar
Crispy Whole Gulf Fish:
Four 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-pound whole snapper
8 cups canola or fryer oil
Creole seasoning
Salt and pepper
8 cups seasoned seafood breading
Fresh chopped herbs, for garnish
Directions
- For the ketchup: To a small saucepot add the peppers, tomatoes, garlic, guava paste, onions, sugar, vinegar, crushed red pepper and salt. Simmer until the liquid begins to thicken to a hot syrup consistency. Add to a counter-top blender or use an immersion blender and puree.
- For the onions: You can make these on a grill over open flame with a perforated pan. You can also make them in a saute pan. To make over a grill, toss the sliced onions in a bowl with oil, sugar, vinegar and some salt and pepper. Allow to marinate for about 20 minutes. Pour into a perforated pan and place directly on the grill over the flame. Stir constantly until all the onions are cooked and golden brown. To make in a saute pan, add the oil to a hot pan and then add the onion. Stir occasionally to allow the onions to caramelize, then deglaze with the cane vinegar. Remove from the heat and finish with the brown sugar and some salt and pepper. Let cool.
- For the potatoes: Rinse and quarter the red potatoes. Season 8 cups water with the seafood boil spice and bring to a rapid boil. Add the potatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from the water and let cool.
- For the greens: In another shallow saute pan, add the butter and place over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted and sizzling, add the minced garlic. Let the garlic toast to a light golden brown, and then add the greens. Stir to coat the greens with the garlic. Add the cane vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Toss just to wilt the greens and remove from the heat.
- For the fish: To clean the snapper, the first thing you want to do is scale and gut the fish. Then use a pair of scissors to remove the gills and all the fins from the outside of the fish. Cut an "X" on both sides of the snapper.
- Place the vegetable oil in a shallow frying pan and place on medium heat. The oil should reach about 350 degrees F.
- While the oil is heating, sprinkle both sides of the fish with the Creole seasoning and some salt and pepper. Then dredge in the seafood breading. Be careful not to bread too heavily. Bend the fish so it will look like it is swimming when it comes out the fryer. Cook the crab boiled potatoes in the oil with the fish until crisp and golden brown.
- To serve, quickly heat the barbequed onions in the pan. Toss with the garlic wilted greens and crab boiled potatoes. Place the onions, greens and potatoes on the bottom of the plate and fish in the center of the plate and drizzle with the guava ketchup. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.