posted by Maree 03-19-101 9:40 AM
Schnapper Stuffed with Prawns
1 decent sized whole fish- firm textured- no more than the length of your forearm (how scientific is that!), have it scaled and gutted with fins trimmed
250-300g (about 1/2 pound) of green (ie. raw) prawns and de-shell, de-vein them and then chop them up roughly with a knife and place in a bowl;
3-4 slices of bread (white or whole-grain or whatever you have to hand) to the food processor and pulse to get a coarse crumb
salt, pepper, nutmeg, Tabasco or chili powder, to taste
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
chopped flat leaf parsley
juice of 1 lemon
Stuff insides of whole fish with mixture.
Allow for bread to expand on cooking.
Secure fish openings with skewers.
Preheat the oven to ~180 (360*).
Place chopped prawns in a bowl, and add bread crumbs. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, hot sauce, butter, parsley and lemon juice. Stuff insides of whole fish with mixture. Allow for bread to expand on cooking. Secure fish openings with skewers.
Line an oven proof dish, coated with cooking spray, with foil. Place "stuffed" fish in dish and pour over a tablespoon of melted butter, margarine or olive oil. Squeeze over the juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon (depends on the juice). Pack any left-over stuffing into a greased ramekin. Cover with foil.
Bake for about 20-30 mins. Baste occasionally with the melted butter from the bottom of the pan.
Serve with baby new potatoes and a green/ lettuce, avocado and cherry tomato salad with any left-over stuffing as a side, together with lots of crusty bread.