Grilled Fish: A brief overview
Grilled fish has been a part of various cultures for centuries. In Japan, grilled fish was a staple food, but as the culture became more westernized, the consumption of meat increased. The term "BBQ" is often used for grilled fish, but it is a misnomer as seafood is mostly grilled on a griddle rather than over charcoal.
Grilled Fish & its origin
Grilling a fish before eating it is not a modern thing. In fact, it has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times, when humans first discovered cooking over an open flame. The practice of grilling fish is found in many cultures around the world, including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Greece, and many others.
Grilled Fish Recipes
Cooking fish on a griddle or grill is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy seafood. With so many different types of fish and flavor combinations, there are countless grilled fish recipes and variations to try. For example, in the United States, salmon is usually the fish of choice for grilling, while in Spain, sardines are the preferred fish for grilling. The following are some recipes for you to try:
Grilled cod
With a homemade blackened seasoning imparting a peculiar flavor to the cod, this dish will make you love cod. In a small bowl, whisk one teaspoon table salt, one fourth teaspoon red chili powder, one fourth teaspoon cloves, one teaspoon black pepper, one teaspoon celery seeds or almonds, one tablespoon oregano, carom, or ajwain seeds, one tablespoon onion powder, and one tablespoon garlic powder. This makes the blackened homemade seasoning, which may be made in larger quantities and stored for up to an year in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Preheat a grill to 200 degrees Celsius at medium high heat. Leave the cod at room temperature for about fifteen minutes. Dry the cod with a clean towel. Coat the cod in olive oil and season with table salt. Cover the cod with the previously prepared blackened seasoning. Grill this cod for about four minutes on each side and remove it from the grill just when it starts flaking. Let the grilled cod cool for a few minutes. Serve with grilled okra/lady’s finger.
Taste: Spicy.
Total time: 20 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes.
Calories per serving: 112.
Grilled Fish with Sauteed Veggies
A continental dish that is apt for any occasion, grilled fish with sauteed veggies is easy to make, high in protein, and low in calories. Add salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Drop the fish filets into this bowl, cover them with the previously made mixture, and allow some time for marination. On a griddle pan, add a little butter or oil and grill fish filets for three to four minutes at medium-high heat. Wash and chop beans, carrots and cauliflower in the meantime. Set aside after grilling the chopped vegetables and tomatoes for two to three minutes. Lay the grilled vegetables on a plate, set the frilled fish filets on this bed of vegetables, drizzle any leftover sauce from the pan onto this, top with the grilled tomatoes, and serve hot.
Taste: Sour.
Total time: 40 minutes.
Prep time: 15 minutes.
Calories per serving: 192.
Grilled Korra Meenu
This spicy and tangy dish made using the fish of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (yes, there is such a thing as 'state fish') is an ideal appetizer. Thoroughly mix yogurt, garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, red chili, and salt. This is a marinade. Use this marinade to cover the fish entirely. Let this marinade-covered fish marinate in a refrigerator for about an hour. Cook this marinated fish on a preheated grill for about ten minutes. When the fish turns opaque, flip it and cook for another ten minutes. Take the fish off the heat, garnish with tomato slices and lime wedges, and serve hot.
Taste: Sour and spicy.
Total time: 30 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes.
Calories per serving: 360.
Grilled fish in garlic sauce
This dish, with its flavorful garlic butter, makes for unforgettable weekends. Put some olive oil in a pan and bring it to medium heat. Add the fish filets to the pan and allow them to simmer before seasoning with salt, pepper, sugar, and lemon juice. Grill both sides and place them on a platter when they get crispy. Roast the cloves and grind them until a coarse, powdery consistency is attained. In a separate pan, melt butter and minced garlic over medium heat. Sauté the cloves, sugar, salt, and black pepper powder until the butter melts and an aromatic mixture forms. Pour some of this sauce onto a platter or plate and place grilled fish on it. Garnish with chopped rosemary and parsley. Serve hot.
Taste: Sour and salty.
Total time: 40 minutes.
Prep time: 15 minutes.
Calories per serving: 290.
Grilled pomfret
A sugar-free, high-protein, low-carb non-vegetarian snack, this dish is ideal for those following a keto and/or gluten-free diet. Thoroughly mix hung curd, red chili powder, turmeric powder, lemon juice, ginger garlic paste, and garam masala, and use this mixture as a marinade to marinate the pomfret for about an hour in a refrigerator. Heat a little oil in a grill pan and place the marinated pomfret in this pan. Grill both sides for about five minutes each. Take off the heat and serve hot with any sauce or chutney of your choice.
Taste: Sour and spicy.
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes.
Calories per serving: 289.
Grilled fish steak
This is an easy and simple dish that is ideal for those who aren’t fish lovers. In a medium-sized bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper thoroughly. Pour this mixture into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow glass bowl, and place the fish filets in this marinade. Allow refrigerated marination for about an hour. Preheat a grill pan at high heat and add a little oil. Remove the marinated fish filets from the refrigerator and dispose of the excess marinade. Place the filets on the pan and cook each side for about five minutes. Serve hot.
Taste: Sour.
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes.
Calories per serving: 554.
Grilled basa with sesame and coriander
For when you are too lazy to cook dinner, this dish will come to your rescue. Add roasted white sesame seeds, roasted and coarsely pounded coriander seeds, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped garlic, a teaspoon of chili flakes, salt, and pepper to a bowl and mix well. Marinate two large basa filets in this mixture for about thirty minutes in a refrigerator. Cook these marinated basa filets on medium heat for about five minutes per side, take them off the grill pan, and let them cool. Serve warm with a salad of your choice or lemon wedges.
Taste: Sour and spicy.
Total time: 50 minutes.
Prep time: 10 minutes.
Calories per serving: 320.
Whether you are not in the mood to cook something elaborate or want to follow a ketogenic and/or gluten-free diet, grilled fish is your pal. The abundance of protein and presence of healthy fatty acids are an added bonus. The above recipes are merely meant to stimulate your imagination. Experimenting with different ingredients is all up to you.