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Cook's note: Branzino is a sustainable fish with mild white flesh.
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If you can't find it, use small trout.
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When buying fish, look for taut skin, clear eyes and bright red gills-those are all signs of freshness.
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Make the marinade.
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Preheat a grill to medium high.
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Meanwhile, combine the lime zest, ginger, shallot, olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper in a bowl.
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Stuff the fish.
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Thinly slice 1 lime.
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Stuff the slices into the cavity of each fish along with the basil leaves and ginger slices.
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Set aside half of the marinade for serving, then brush the rest on the fish.
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Season inside and out with kosher salt and pepper.
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Grill the fish.
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Preheat a grill to medium high and brush the grates with vegetable oil.
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Transfer the fish to the grill and cook until the skin starts to crisp, 5 to 7 minutes.
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Do not move the fish or the skin will stick to the grill.
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To flip the fish, place a spatula under the head end and use tongs to hold the cavity closed; gently roll the fish over.
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Cook the fish on the other side until the skin is crisp, 5 to 7 more minutes.
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Check the eyes: When they're both white, the fish is done.
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Transfer to a platter.
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Cut the remaining 4 limes in half; grill cut side down until caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes.
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Transfer to the platter.
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Fillet the fish.
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Using a fork and starting at the tail end, peel back the skin from one side of the fish; discard.
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Run a knife along the back of the fish to separate the top and bottom fillets.
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Use the knife to remove any additional skin along the back.
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Using a spoon, gently loosen and lift the top fillet away from the bottom fillet.
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Lift the head and use the spoon to carefully separate the spine from the bottom fillet.
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Discard the tail, head and stuffing.
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Remove and discard the skin from the bottom fillet.
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Repeat with the second fish.
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Serve.
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Drizzle the fillets with the reserved marinade; finish with some olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
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Serve with the grilled limes and more basil.
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Photograph by Penny De Los Santos