Blackened Citrus Grouper
So Brandon’s been complaining for the last couple weeks that every time I buy fish, it’s salmon. Since I love him, I decided to mix it up so last night I went to the grocery store and decided to bring home whatever fish looked good. As I’m sure you guessed, the grouper looked wonderfully fresh and it was just the perfect size so I picked it up. Only to get home and realize, I can’t remember ever cooking grouper (or eating it, though I’m sure I have) so I had no idea how to cook it!
Don’t worry, I sifted through a Food Network and Epicurious to find 2 common themes in grouper recipes (blackened and citrus.) So with that as inspiration, Blackened Citrus Grouper became tonight’s dinner:
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs grouper
- 2 TBL lime juice
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 TBL honey
- 1 TBL olive oil
- 4 TBL cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 TBL garlic powerder (or 1 tsp fresh minced garlic)
How to make the most delicious grouper:
- Pre-heat a non-stick skillet to medium
- Citrus sauce: Whisk together lime juice, lemon juice, honey and olive oil
- Blackening rub: Combine cajun seasoning, salt, and garlic powder (if using fresh minced garlic, add it to step 1)
- Soak grouper in the sauce then lay it flat on a cutting board
- Coat the grouper with the rub
- LIGHTLY oil pan
- Cook a 1 inch thick peice of grouper for 5 minutes on each side then add citrus sauce to the pan
- Continue to cook grouper in sauce for another 2-3 minutes on each side. During this time, the sauce should reduce to about 25%.
- Remove grouper from the pan and let it rest for at least 2 minutes before cutting and serving.
Side Dish - Citrus & Garlic Sauteed Spinach
While the fish rests, make up a quick side of sauteed spinach. Keep the pan on medium heat and add to the reduced sauce 2 cups of fresh baby spinach per person. Sauteed the spinach until its cooked throughly and serve on top of the fish.
Tip: I love spinach but am not a fan of the texture when it’s cooked. Severing it on top of meat or fish is a great way to get this tasty vegetable down without it feely all smooshy in your mouth : )
ENJOY!
