A Taste of the Coast: BBQ Snapper with a Summer Twist | Tarra Queenscliff
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BBQ Charcoal Snapper with fresh summer herb salad, chilli and asian soy dressing

 

Welcome to Tarra Queenscliff, where the charm of the seaside meets the warmth of our kitchen. Today, we're sharing a slice of our culinary heart: the BBQ Charcoal Snapper, done in a way that marries our philosoph- Simple done extrodinarily well! This dish is known for its honest flavours and the joy it brings to a summer meal.

Our approach to this recipe is straightforward, focusing on the natural goodness of the ingredients. The snapper, a beloved catch from our local waters, is prepared with care, cleaned, descaled and ready for the grill. We score the fish lightly, allowing for the marinade of olive oil and sea salt to penetrate, enhancing its delicate taste.

On the grill, the snapper takes on a smoky character, the kind that reminds you of relaxed beachside barbies with good company. It's about the simple pleasure of grilling – the hiss of the oil, the crackle of the skin, and the perfect char that comes from patient cooking.

While the fish rests, we toss together a fresh summer salad. The greens – mint, coriander, Thai basil – are picked and washed, then gently mixed with just-sliced chillies. It's a burst of colour and freshness that complements the richness of the snapper. The dressing is no-fuss and full of flavour. We whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, a dash of vinegar, some sugar, and a good pour of extra-virgin olive oil. It's a dressing that's bold yet balanced, ready to bring the dish together.

To assemble, we lay the grilled snapper as the centrepiece, drizzle it with a bit of lemon, and then spoon over the soy dressing. The final touch is the herb salad – a crowning glory that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. And that's our BBQ Charcoal Snapper with Fresh Summer Herb Salad and Asian Soy Dressing. It's a testament to the quality of simple ingredients and the beauty of summer cooking.

 

 

BBQ Charcoal Snapper with fresh summer herb salad, chilli and asian soy dressing

 

Ingredients

 

For the BBQ Snapper

  • 1 whole snapper, cleaned, descaled and fins cut off  (you can ask you fish monger to do this for you)
  • Charcoal for grilling (if necessary)
  • 200ml Extra Virgin Olive oil
  • Salt to taste
     

For the Fresh Summer herb Salad

  • 1 cup picked and washed mint leaves
  • 1 cup picked and washed Vietnamese mint leaves
  • 1 cup picked and washed coriander leaves
  • 2 long red chillies, topped, tailed and seeds removed along with the membrane of the chilli
  • 2 long green chillies topped, tailed and seeds removed along with the membrane of the chilli
  • 1 lime
  • 1 lemon

For the Asian Soy Dressing

  • ½ cup picked and washed Thai basil
  • 4 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 4 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or vinegar of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar 

 

Instructions

 

1. Prepare the Charcoal Grill

Light the charcoal and let it burn until it becomes white and ashy. Arrange the coals for direct grilling and attach the hibachi grill. (You can also use any BBQ grill)

2. Prepare the Snapper

Score the fish on both sides, making diagonal cuts about 1 inch apart.

Brush the fish with extra virgin olive oil and season generously with salt.

3. Grill the Snapper

Place the seasoned snapper directly onto the grill.

Cook for about 10-15 minutes in total or until the flesh is opaque and easily flakes with a fork. The cooking time will also vary depending on the size of your snapper.

Remove from the heat and brush with olive oil and let rest for 5 to 6 minutes.

4. Asian Soy Dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and extra virgin olive oil until the sugar has dissolved, set aside.

5. Prepare the Fresh Summer Salad

In a bowl, combine slightly torn mint leaves, Vietnamese mint, coriander, Thai basil and finely sliced chilli. Toss gently to combine and add ½ the juice of a lime and 2 tablespoons of the Asian dressing, mix well to dress the leaves.

6. Assemble

Arrange the grilled snapper on a serving platter.

Dress the snapper with a squeeze of lemon.

Drizzle the Asian soy dressing over the fish then serve the fresh summer salad on top of the snapper, Enjoy.

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