Barbecued whole fish with lemongrass and lime leaves

Name: Barbecued whole fish with lemongrass and lime leaves
Total time: 30 min
Yield: Serves 6 - 8

Ginger, garlic, coriander roots and loads of citrus are all smashed up together and spread over the fish.

Mar 17, 2016 1:00pm

By Darren Robertson & Mark LaBrooy

Serves 6 - 8
20 mins preparation
10 mins cooking (plus marinating)

Barbecued whole fish with lemongrass and lime leaves

"This dish is all about a flavour-packed paste," says Robertson. "Ginger, garlic, coriander roots and loads of citrus - all smashed up together and spread over the fish."

Ingredients

100 gm long green chillies (about 5), coarsely chopped
60 gm ginger, coarsely chopped
50 gm thinly sliced lemongrass (about 2 stalks, white part only), plus extra to serve
40 gm garlic (about 10 cloves)
20 gm kaffir lime leaves, very thinly sliced, plus extra to serve (1/3 cup)
Coriander roots (from 1 bunch), washed, dried and chopped, plus leaves to serve
2 spring onions, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp finely grated palm sugar
4 whole snapper (500gm each), scaled and gutted
60 ml grapeseed oil (¼ cup)
Juice of 1 lemon and 1 lime
Sliced pickled chilli, to serve (see note)

Method

Main

1
Pound chilli, ginger, lemongrass, garlic, kaffir lime leaves, coriander roots, spring onion, palm sugar and 2 tsp sea salt with a large mortar and pestle, or blend in a blender to a paste, then add oil and mix to combine.
2
Slash both sides of each fish 4-5 times with a sharp knife, then rub marinade all over and inside the cavity. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to marinate. Remove from fridge 20 minutes before cooking to come to room temperature.
3
Heat barbecue or a char-grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil grill or pan. Barbecue fish until charred and just cooked through on one side (5-6 minutes). Turn and repeat. Season to taste, squeeze lemon and lime juice over, scatter with lemongrass, lime leaves, coriander and pickled chilli and serve.

Notes

Note The Ducks use the pickled chilli from the pickled rhubarb recipe; otherwise buy pickled chillies from select delicatessens. 
Drink Suggestion: Zesty young dry riesling. Drink suggestion by Max Allen