Oven Grilled Dorade with Tomato

 Oven Grilled Dorade 

With Potatoes

Oven-grilled dorade, also known as sea bream, is a delicious and healthy way to prepare this popular fish. The mild, slightly sweet flavor of dorade pairs perfectly with a variety of seasonings, making it a versatile choice for seafood enthusiasts. In this recipe, we'll show you how to create a mouthwatering oven-grilled dorade with a simple and flavorful preparation.

Facts about dorade as a species and its characteristics

Versatile Culinary Use: Dorade is a popular choice in Mediterranean cuisine and is enjoyed in various preparations, including grilling, baking, frying, and steaming. Its mild flavor allows it to pair well with a wide range of seasonings and ingredients.

Sustainable Choice: Some species of dorade, such as the gilthead seabream, are considered sustainable choices for seafood consumption. They are farmed in aquaculture operations, which can help reduce the pressure on wild populations.

Habitat: Dorade species are typically found in shallow coastal waters, where they feed on a diet of small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. They prefer warm, temperate waters, making the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean ideal locations for their habitat.

Historical Significance: Dorade has been an important catch in Mediterranean fishing communities for centuries. It has cultural and historical significance in the region, and it features in traditional recipes and celebrations.

Aquaculture Success: Due to its popularity in culinary circles, dorade is one of the species that has been successfully farmed in aquaculture. This has made it more readily available to consumers and has contributed to its sustainability.

Culinary Delicacy: Dorade is often regarded as a culinary delicacy, and it is prized for its ability to take on the flavors of various seasonings and accompaniments, making it a versatile ingredient in Mediterranean and seafood-focused cuisine.

A creative and unexpected beverage pairing that harmonizes beautifully with oven-grilled dorade is a crisp and slightly spicy ginger beer. Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic beverage with a zesty, ginger-infused flavor profile. Here's why it works well with dorade:

Ginger Beer Pairing with Oven -Grilled Dorade:

Contrasting Flavors: The spicy and slightly sweet notes of ginger beer provide a delightful contrast to the mild and flaky nature of the dorade. The combination of the fish's delicate taste with the bold flavors of ginger creates a unique and exciting culinary experience.

Refreshing and Cleansing: Ginger beer is effervescent and refreshing, which makes it an excellent palate cleanser between bites of fish. Its carbonation can cut through the richness of the fish and refresh your taste buds, making each bite feel like a new culinary adventure.

Balancing Act: The natural spiciness of ginger beer can balance the flavors of your grilled dorade. It adds a layer of complexity to the pairing by introducing a hint of heat and a touch of sweetness.

No Alcohol: For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverage options, ginger beer is a fantastic choice. It offers an exciting alternative to traditional wine pairings, and it's especially well-suited for a variety of seafood dishes.

A Unique Experience: Offering ginger beer with oven-grilled dorade can be a conversation starter and a unique dining experience. It allows guests to explore different flavor combinations and breaks away from the usual wine or beer pairings.

What are some innovative cooking techniques or tools that can take the experience of grilling dorade to the next level?

1. Cedar Plank Grilling: Soak cedar planks in water for a few hours before grilling. Place the seasoned dorade fillets or whole fish on the cedar planks. The wood imparts a subtle smoky flavor and keeps the fish moist.
2. Himalayan Salt Block: Preheat a Himalayan salt block on the grill and place the dorade fillets or whole fish directly on it. The salt imparts a delicate seasoning and imparts a hint of saltiness to the fish.
3. Grill Baskets: Use fish grilling baskets or cages that securely hold the dorade in place.These prevent the fish from sticking to the grill grates and make flipping easier.
4. Fish Spatula: Invest in a high-quality fish spatula with a thin, flexible blade. It makes flipping and handling the delicate fish fillets much easier and reduces the risk of them falling apart.
5. Indirect Grilling: Create two heat zones on your grill - one hot and one cooler. Start by searing the dorade fillets or whole fish over high heat for a short time to get grill marks, then move them to the cooler zone to finish cooking. This method ensures even cooking overcooking.
6. Herb and Citrus Infusion: Place fresh herbs and citrus slices inside the dorade cavity before grilling. The heat will release the flavors, infusing the fish with aromatic and fresh notes.
7. Grilled Lemon or Lime Halves: Cut lemons or limes in half, grill them alongside the dorade, and squeeze the grilled citrus over the fish just before serving for a smoky and tangy flavor.
8. Compound Butter: Prepare a compound butter with herbs, garlic, and lemon zest. While the dorade is grilling, brush it with the compound butter to add layers of flavor.
9. Smoke Box: Use a smoke box or smoking pouch with wood chips to introduce a smoky flavor to the dorade. Place it on the grill while cooking for a subtle smokiness.

Digital Thermometer: For precise grilling, use a digital meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the fish. Dorade is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Difficulty: Easy

Cooking time: 15 to 20 Minutes

Preparation time: 1 Hour and 30 Minutes

Servings: For 4 person

Ingredients:

• Dorade 800 grams
• 6 medium Potatoes
• 1 Teaspoon Herbs en provence, dried 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lemons, 1piece for thinly sliced, 1 piece for lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin, to be adjusted according to your taste
• Some fresh parsley leaves
• Some coriander fresh leaves
• 2 leaves of dried bay leaves
• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, optional
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Potatoes

• 4 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cube sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs en provence 

Instructions:

1. Prepare the marinade: 

• In a bowl mix well chopped onion and garlic cloves, finely chopped parsley and coriander, olive oil, lemon juice, ginger powder, cumin, thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper.

2. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Ensure that your oven rack is in the middle position.

3. Prepare the Fish:

• Rinse the dorade fish under cold running water and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Make several diagonal cuts on both sides of the fish, about 1 inch apart. This will help the fish cook evenly and allow the flavors to penetrate.
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon of prepared marinade inside and outside of each fish.
• Place a few lemon slices and a sprig of rosemary inside each fish.
• Leave to rest for 2 hours

3. Prepare the Potatoes:

• In a large bowl, the the cubes potatoes with olive oil, dried oregano, paprika, salt and pepper until they are well coated. 

4. Arrange the Fish for Grilling:

• In a large ovenproof baking dish, drizzle the remaining olive oil.
• Place the prepared dorade fish in the baking dish, ensuring they are not too crowded, allowing them room to cook evenly.
• Add any remaining lemon slices or rosemary sprigs on the slitted flesh of the fish.

5. Grill in the Oven:

• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and grill the potatoes and dorade for about 20-25 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the skin is crisp and golden or soft baked depending on you taste. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the fish.

6. Serve:

• Carefully remove the fish from the oven and transfer them to serving plates.

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Oven-grilled dorade is a delightful dish that's sure to impress your guests. The combination of the fresh, flaky fish with the fragrant rosemary and zesty lemon slices creates a mouthwatering flavor profile that's perfect for a special dinner or a casual weeknight meal.

Enjoy!