Gourmet Traveller (Australia)

Whiting with seaweed butter

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SERVES 6 AS A SHARED DISH // PREP TIME 20 MINS // COOK 25 MINS (PLUS RESTING)

“We source our fish directly from our fisherman, Justin Cicolella, who is part of the Fair Fish community-supported fishery,” says Edwards. “A few times a week we have a chat about what he's catching. Fish this good deserves to be the hero – a little seaweed butter and a squeeze of lemon is all it needs.” Pictured p99.

3 large yellowfin whiting (or other whiting; about 20-25cm in length), cleaned and fins removed Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling and brushing 1 lemon, halved, for squeezing, plus extra lemon wedges to serve

Watercress or other greens, to serve SEAWEED BUTTER 5 golden shallots, diced 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 80 ml (1⁄3 cup) extra-virgin olive oil 6 sheets Korean laver or nori (see note) 1 tbsp light soy sauce 2 tsp rice wine vinegar 200 gm softened unsalted butter

1 For seaweed butter, combine shallot, garlic, oil and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over low heat, and cook, stirring, until soft (15 minutes). Remove from heat. 2 Hold laver over a gas flame briefly with tongs until crisp and toasted, or roast under a low grill. Crush laver, add to shallot mixture and set aside to soften and cool (15 minutes). Add soy and vinegar and season with salt (about 1 tsp). Pulse in a food processor until a chunky paste forms, then fold through butter.

3 Preheat a charcoal or other barbecue to high. Lightly brush fish with oil and season with salt (ensure fish is at room temperatur­e). Grill over indirect heat until skin is charred and fish is just cooked through

(6-7 minutes each side).

4 Squeeze lemon over fish, sprinkle with sea salt flakes and top with a large spoonful of seaweed butter. Drizzle with oil and serve with watercress and lemon wedges.

Note Korean laver (toasted seaweed) is available from Asian supermarke­ts; substitute nori. Wine suggestion A fruitforwa­rd pinot noir, such as

Lucy Margaux “Out of Control”.

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