If you eat 30 grams of protein and 10 grams of fibre at every meal, you’ll optimise muscle- building and weight loss. This month, find your protein in a grilled-fish feast and your fibre in sides that are jammed with something chicken and steamed broccoli don’t have: tonnes of flavour.
The Protein (30g)
White fish cooks fast and turns flaky and luscious on the grill. Go with red snapper (or striped bass or sea bass). They all have at least 26 grams of protein for fewer than 2552 kJ per 110g serving
Buy it
Ask the person behind the counter to “scale, gut and clean” the fish, but leave the head on for presentation value. Fresh fish should have a clear eye, a clean (not fishy) smell, and no slick of slime on the skin.
Cook it: The recipe
Fish with Orange Sauce
Skin-on fish is notorious for sticking to grill grates and generally making a mess. Prevent all that with a technique called reverse searing, in which you cook the fish with indirect heat first, then crisp the skin over direct heat.
What you'll need
1 whole white-fleshed fish (about 680G), scaled, gutted and cleaned
¼ cup soy sauce
½ orange, juiced
2 Tbsp sesame oil
2 Tbsp minced ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
3 spring onions, thinly sliced
1. Preheat your grill to high. Oil and season the fish inside and out with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients except for the spring onions.
2. Place the fish on a well-oiled grill over indirect heat and close the lid. Cook until the flesh is cooked through, about 10 minutes, flipping halfway with a large metal spatula. Then move the fish to direct heat and cook until the skin on both sides is nice and crispy, 3-5 minutes per side.
3. Carefully transfer the fish to a serving platter, top with the spring onions, spoon on some sauce and serve with more sauce on the side.
If you have the extra time, here are three ways to elevate this recipe to extra-special status
If you have . . .5 mins
Grill that orange! You have a half left over from the sauce. Lightly oil the cut side and place it cut side down over direct heat. The flames will intensify the sweetness of the juice, which you can then squeeze over the cooked fish.
If you have . . .20 mins
Sizzle ginger oil. In a small pan, heat ¼ cup canola oil over medium. Then add 6-7 large ginger slices and cook for 10 minutes. Discard the ginger; allow the oil to cool. Spoon on the fish and/or the sides for more deliciousness.
If you have . . .1 hour
Marinate the fish for more flavour, even if it’s just in oil, salt and pepper. But if you want, you can also add minced garlic, fresh orange juice, thinly sliced hot chillies and/or crushed red-pepper flakes.
The Fibre (10g)
These two simple side dishes enhance the flavours of the fish and help you hit your 10 grams of fibre at mealtime.
Christopher Testani
Gochujang Eggplant
In a small pan, melt 2 Tbsp butter with 2 Tbsp gochujang and 1 tsp soy sauce.
On a medium-high-heat grill, place 4 Japanese eggplants, halved (or 2 small regular eggplants, quartered), and cook, turning and basting with the butter, until charred, about 7 minutes.
Cover and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Plate and top with ¼ cup each peanuts, pomegranate seeds and coriander.
