Fennel-and-Grapefruit-Rubbed Snapper

By DreiFromBK

F&W's Justin Chapple rubs a supertasty mix of crushed fennel seeds and grapefruit zest onto snapper before baking it on a bed of sweet roasted fennel.

Ingredients

• 3 fennel bulbs, cut into 3/4-inch wedges
• 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Two 12-ounce red snapper fillets
• 2 teaspoons crushed fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated grapefruit zest
• 1 pink grapefruit, peeled and supremed

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the fennel, 1/4 cup of oil, the thyme and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and black pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes, until just tender.
Gently curl 1 snapper fillet over the edge of a ceramic baking dish, skin side up. Make 5 or 6 slashes in the fillet. Repeat with the remaining fillet.

In a bowl, whisk the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil, the fennel seeds and zest and rub all over the fillets and in the slashes; season with salt and pepper. Arrange the snapper skin side up on the fennel. Roast for about 8 minutes, until the fish is just cooked through. Serve the fish and fennel 
with the grapefruit sections.


Suggested Pairing

Wine: Citrusy, medium-bodied white Bordeaux.