18/02/2019

Roast Whole Snapper with Basil Tomatoes and Feta Pilaf

My mum always used to bake snapper with tomatoes, Greek-style. They certainly give the meatiness of snapper a Mediterranean edge, particularly when finished with tender basil leaves.

Serves:

4 Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes

Download Recipe PDF

Ingredients

4 spring onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
sea salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-1.2kg cleaned whole snapper or barramundi
1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved or 3 large ripe tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon capers
1/2 bunch fresh basil leaves
FETA PILAF
50g butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups long grain rice
1 litre chicken stock
200g feta cheese, crumbled

Method

Combine spring onions, garlic, fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon salt and oil together. Cut three slashes into each side of the snapper and place on a roasting tray. Fill each cavity with 2 tablespoons of spring onion mixture. Add tomatoes and capers to remaining spring onion mixture and arrange over and around snapper. Season.
Roast at 200°C for 30-40 minutes until fish is just cooked. Remove fish onto a serving platter and cover to keep warm. Transfer tomatoes into a bowl, allow to cool slightly, stir in basil leaves and spoon over fish for serving. Serve with Feta Pilaf.
To make Feta Pilaf, heat butter and oil in a large saucepan until melted. Add rice and cook until opaque and lightly toasted. Heat stock, add to the rice, bring to the boil and simmer covered over low heat for 10 minutes. Do not remove lid. Turn off heat and stand covered for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, stir in feta and serve with fish.
VARIATION Whole small rainbow trout can be used in place of the snapper and served as individual portions.

Tips

TIPS To portion fish, use a large flat spoon to release flesh from the bones on one side, remove head and skeleton, and portion the rest.
STYLING Keep some fresh basil leaves and capers for sprinkling. Use a basil leaf to discretely cover the eye!
DRINK MATCH Pinot noir or saison.

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