Substantial

Whole Fish – Pan Fried

30 September 2022

ingredients for 2 people

2 x 250 - 300g whole fish - cleaned, with head and tail on,

1 lemon for marinade and garnish and 1 lemon for serving

1 sprig of fresh herbs such as thyme, oregano, parsley, or sprigs of fennel leaf

Extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt and black pepper

A sprig of fresh parsley

equipment

Chopping board and kitchen knife

A large heavy based, oven proof fry pan or rectangle griddle, large enough to cook the whole fish on

Heavy duty oven proof towel or mitts

Tongs and a Spatula for turning and lifting the fish

Basting brush

A warmed serving plate - large enough to hold the whole fish.

method

Step 1 - Preparation

When you get the fish home, pat it dry inside and out using clean kitchen paper towel. Place it on a dish and store uncovered in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Remove the fish from the fridge - pat it dry with paper towel and bring to room temperature for 30 - 60 minutes before cooking.

40 - 60 minutes before cooking preheat the oven to 220 C. 

Place the oven proof pan or griddle in the hot oven and heat for 20 - 30 minutes before you are ready to cook.

While the pan is heating and the fish is coming to room temperature - prepare the marinade and garnish if using

Zest the lemon and cut the lemon in half. 
Put the zest aside for the garnish if using.

RInse and trim the herbs

Finely chop the parsley for the garnish if using and toss with the lemon zest - set aside.

Rinse and finely chop the parsley for a garnish if using.

Quarter the second lemon.

Step 2 - Marinate the fish

Using a very sharp knife, lightly score the fish through the skin in 2 places on both sides. This allows the heat to easily penetrate the fish without bursting the skin.

Sprinkle the fish with sea salt - in the cavity and on the skin.

Squeeze half a lemon over and inside each fish.

Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil onto your hands and rub inside and on the skin of both fish.

Allow the fish to marinate out of the fridge for about 30 minutes before cooking.

Step 3 - Cook

Turn the heat on top of the stove to high.

Turn the oven off and place the serving dish in the warm oven.

Carefully remove the hot pan or griddle from the oven, protecting your hands with a quality oven mitt or dry towel.

Place over high heat on top of the stove and lightly paint the interior of the pan or griddle with olive oil.

Once the oil is smoking - which will be almost immediately, gently place the fish in the pan or on the griddle, without overcrowding.

Baste the top of the fish with olive oil or left over marinade.

After a minute or two - check the underside of the fish - it should come away from the base easily and be becoming golden brown and crispy.

Open the belly cavity, the lower edge of the interior should becoming opaque.

Once the underside is well coloured  - baste the top of the fish with olive oil or left over marinade again and gently turn the fish over using the tongs and spatula.. You only get one go at this - you cannot turn the fish more than once and maintain its integrity.

Allow the fish to continue cooking on the other side, baste the top of the fish as before.  The skin  underneath should be brown and beginning to blister.

The fish is cooked when the flesh is white through to the bone - just. The eyes should be opaque and the dorsal fins if there will pull out easily. The belly cavity should be almost fully opaque.

Carefully transfer the cooked fish to the heated serving plate - using the tongs and the spatula.

If you are concerned that the fish is undercooked - pop it into the warmed oven allow to cook just for another minute or two.

.

Step 4 - To Serve

Garnish with chopped parsley, or  fronds of fennel and lemon zest.

Sprinkle with sea salt, grind over some black pepper and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. 

Arrange the quarters of lemon around the fish.

Serve immediately

source

Recipe adapted by Elizabeth Peddey from Italian Food by Elizabeth David