BBQ Whole Striped Bass

Costco for the past two weeks has had whole Red Snapper on sale. However, we have not bought one. Roger and I went to Costco to get one on Saturday but alas Costco was sold out. So we went to Kanaloa Seafood Fish Store in Santa Barbara...no Red Snapper but a nice whole White Striped Bass. We decided to bar b q the fish with coals not gas. Very tricky thing to do. I will never do that again. Fish is too expensive to experiment. Don't get me wrong the fish came out great...had that perfect bite thing going on and all, but, the fish was so long that of course we had to spread out the coals and when you spread out the coals the temp. lowers very quickly, too fast in fact. We had to finish the fish in the oven at 350*. This was a learning experience 1# in cooking fish and 2# in using coals...I do not normally deal with either. For now on I will stick to regular gas grilling and not coals. Try this recipe with gas not coals. It was very easy and good eating.

1 2 1/2 pound red snapper or striped bass.....or any whole white fish
3 tbls olive oil
6 cloves of garlic crushed
lemon slices
fresh oregano
zest of half a lemon
juice of half a lemon

Mix ingredients together in a bowl, except lemon slice and oregano. Wash and pat dry fish. Place foil on a cookie sheet and place fish on cookie sheet. Spoon about half of the oil mixture on the fish and let sit for 15 minutes; turn fish over and pour the rest of the oil mixture on fish. Let sit for 15 minutes. Then stuff fish with lemon slices and oregano.

Grill should be at 350*. Place fish on grill or use a fish grill pan, close lid. Cook for 10 minutes...flip fish over and cook for another 10 minutes. Left fish out with two spatulas and place back on cookie sheet. Carefully, with a filet knife, starting from the head travel the knife down towards tail. You will be able to feel the spine. Loosen fish gently and place on plate. Remove head and spine of fish to release bottom filet. Place bottom filet on second plate.

I boiled up small red potatoes, buttered and fresh parsley. Tasty...