Latholemono literally translates to oil-lemon. Oil and lemon are ingredients indigenous to Greece and found in every kitchen, used by every Greek cook and enjoyed by millions who love Greek food.
Greeks love their seafood. If it weren’t for it’s northernmost borders, Greece would be an island, surrounded almost entirely by the sea.
Years ago I watched a video of a concert by famed Greek singer and performer, Giorgios Dalaras. In the concert during his in between song banter, he asked the audience, “who here’s from the mountians”?
His question was returned with loud applause.
“Who here is from the sea”?
Again, Dalaras was met with loud applause.
In Greece, despite half the population now lives in the cities, a Greek is either from the mountains or the sea. Yesterday, I took you to the mountainous area of Florina, northern Greece and today, I take you to the sea.
My second “patrida” (home) in Greece is where our summer home is, Nea Kalikratia, near Thessaloniki, capital of Greece’s northernmost province, Macedonia.
From my many summers spent in this fishing and resort village, I’ve honed my seafood “chops” from the locals, relatives and enough “psarotavernas” to consider myself an authority on seafood.
Greeks love their seafood not just for it’s healthy properties but because it tastes good. There’s nothing better than bargaining with the fishermen who have just docked with the night’s catch.
There’s a saying…”the best fish is the freshest fish” and I lucked out with this “rule of thumb” yesterday. I found a fresh, smelling of the sea red snapper and although I had other dinner plans, I bumped them so that I could enjoy this red snapper.
The best way to eat fish is whole. A whole fish will give you all the clues to it’s freshness. First, get up close & personal with the fish…smell it. If it smells anything other than the sea…leave it alone.
Touch the fish. It should be wet but not slimy. Thirdly, the eyes should be bright and not sunken into the head.
Finally, use your fingers to pull open the gills. The inside should be a bright red…any other colour means the fish is old…avoid it.
Now that you have your fresh fish…grill it, unadultered with the ingredients practically every Greek enjoys…Olive oil and lemon.
There are many variations on Latholemono but the base is oil, lemon juice and salt. My personal preference is to add the flavours of garlic and oregano.
Latholemono (λαδολÎμονο)
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 heaping tsp. of dry oregano
- Add all the above ingredients into a jar. Close the lid tight and shake to emulsify. Adjust for seasoning. After grilling your fish, pour your Latholemono over your fish and enjoy!
51 Responses
Beautiful Snapper! I’ve never purchased a whole fish to cook but you make it look so easy and with the Latholemono its even better!!
Bravo! Nothing beats the pure flavours of latholemono. The fish looks great.
Oh no you didn’t! What time should I be over for dinner? I love snapper more than llife itself, yummy grill marks too!
That looks like a perfect taste of sunshine, tanned gods and white pebble beaches (do they even have those in Greece?).
Fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil is such a simple and yet tasty combo. The fish looks really good.
The classic Greek sauce/dressing, and a very fine looking fish indeed! Good and gooder! :-)
Nice presentation, nothing beats a good fish.
I’ve never cooked a whole fish before… something about the little eyes staring at me. Looks like you did a nice job with the creature :)
definitely the best way to eat fish is this one, no frills, just fish and simple dressing
i love citrusy fish…this particular one is sooo calling me from afar…
I can taste it, I can smell it, I’d take some of this anytime. Another good thing to add to ladolemono is a little mustard, which I mention because I know you’re a mustard man!
Really simple, really eye appealing and I love snapper –
This looks fabulous…and perfect for summer!
I really feel like I’m in Greece right now! I do!
BTW- Did you like that movie about the big fat Greek wedding? I guess it was kind of girly.
This looks great. I don’t think I’ve had snapper before.
Christine, whole fish is so much more enjoyable to eat that filets, IMO.
Pete, you have some great fish Down Under, I’m surprised you don’t cook with whole fish more….I would!
Erik…Oh yes I did…more to come this summer.
Heather, we have sandy, pebbled, rocky and black, volcanic beaches…take your pick!
Sam, latholemono brings out the best in fish.
Lori, the flipside is eating a fish filet that could be of suspect freshness….you decide.
Maria, sardeles and gavro are my faves though.
Mocha, I rarely serve whole fish differently from this.
Laurie, I thought of that (mustard) as it emulsifies…I night add a dab next time.
Giz, fish is presented in this way in Greece, just ask Shirley Valentine!
Chicajo, I can’t wait to be eating outdoors too.
Emiline, of course I’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Practically every Greek saw it. I think each family drew on a couple of similar experiences in their own families.
I completely agree with you, Peter! I’m big fan of fresh fish and I can have it all year long… I guess I’m very lucky!
Just grilled and with a sauce this red snapper couldn’t find a better end :D I love its tasty meat♥
Simple, delicious, unfussy and unpretentious – that is why I love Greek grub, superb!
Cheers
David
I agree about the Ladolemono and your beautiful post but I have to disagree about the pronunciation of the word. Although I am a fan of Nancy Gaifyllia at About.com I totally disagree about the way she spells Greek Words. http://greekfood.about.com/mbiopage.htm
The word Latho(s) means mistake. And Latho(lemono) is a mistaken lemon.
You do make such wonderfull seafood dishes.
Love the snapper.
I have never made any whole fish.
Have to try them once.
thanks for the tips on choosing a fresh fish- we’re going to have to make this one at the in-laws!
this is the most good looking grilled snapper i ever seen! hearing all your stories abour greece i cant wait to spend our summer vacation there!!
I want to go to Greece…NOW!!!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
The more I read about your experiences and your food, the more I want to go to Greece. This looks delightfully simple to prepare and it also looks mouthwatering. There are the great meals that are over the top in their preparation, and there are the meals that are over the top due to their simplicity and the amazing quality of the ingredients, which I feel are more of a rarity and a lot more special given the discipline it takes not to go and botch it up by muddying the flavors with other additions (a problem I have been trying to correct in my own cooking).
I guess this is my long-winded way of saying that looks like a really tasty dinner!
That Red Snapper looks absolutely delicious. Looking at it makes me think of summer.
gorgeous… whole fish is always the way to go. god, summer can’t get here quicker.
Peter, your fish looks amazing!
Whole fish cooked like this reminds me of Summer and family holidays…
Nuria, you ARE very lucky…when in Greece I eat all the fresh seafood I can get.
David, thank you my friend…fresh is best.
Ivy, thanks for your point…but sometimes Greek-English translations get muddled but the “Latho” TH sound is that of THe, a hard TH sound. How would YOU translate λαδολÎμονο?
Happy, whole fish, when fresh is the essence of seafood.
Pixie, I also have deep in my blog, tips on grilling whole fish.
Dhanngit, are you coming to Greece this year? I’d love to help with any of your travel planning.
Mary, there are lots of good packages to Greece, what are you waiting for?
Sylvie, I’m practicing my summer grillin’ techniques.
Amy and Jonny, any summer scrapple for grillin? lol
Kittie, blame it all on the fresh snapper.
Yes, yes, yes…..this would be exceptional Peter!!!!!! You’re far outsurpassing me with the BBQ these days!!
Peter, your fish tips are spot on! And I totally agree that fresh fish is at least as good as “seafood,” and sometimes better. It’s all in the quality of the ingredients. :) Whole fish has SO much more flavor and apart from that, is much more succulent…It might be the skin, or the bones that provide the added “Ooomph,” but whatever it is, it’s worth it to try whole fish. YUM. Excellent post and recipe!!
Oh that looks soooo good. I can get that fresh and local here!!! I am so excited. I am going to go to the fish market tomorrow and get me some fish!
Peter, that looks so perfect and simple!
This looks so simple and delicious!
Peter, this is such a coincidence. Have you ever heard of The Splendid Table? I’m on their weekly email list (great recipes, you would love it). Anyway, yesterday’s email was for poached fish with lemon and olive oil; so when I was reading your post it was like deja vu. Hers wasn’t Greek of course, just pure and lovely. So now I am inspired.
Also, I just posted about a Greek inspired salad I made yesterday, any tips on an ‘authentic’ Greek salad?
And thanks for the comment on my blog. I’m trying to get more selfconfidence in my baking! Leah
Val, I had some catching up to do!
Nikki, you know where I’m coming from then. You’ve seen fresh fish (in the Canaries) and not so fresh (Minnesota).
Judy, rejoice and eat the fresh FLA fish you have, lucky gal.
Pam, when it’s fresh, don’t toy with a fish.
TY, Gluten-free.
Hi Leah,
I’ve heard of the Splendid Table and now I’ll keep a closer eye on the site…some decent dishes over there.
As for a Greek salad, the classic doesn’t have any lettuce. It’s usually ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, green peppers, some black olives and feta cheese.
The dressing is of salt, pepper, olive oil, wine vinegar or lemon juice and dry Greek oregano.
Oh yeah! I just played arounf with some sauce containing lemon and oil.Love those flavors with the fresh whole roasted fish.
I have to agree with you. This is probably the best way to enjoy fish EVER! You got me craving for a nice grilled snapper now. Damnit. :-)
I feel with your perfect descriptions of Greece I am there basking in sunshine and eating this wonderful fish dish! Bravo Peter on a most lovely post :)
i make this every week but now i know it has an ‘exotic’ name! better than just lemon and olive oil.
the grilled snapper looks gorgeous…amazing ~ such simplicity is all you need in the spices of your marinade for fish that good….looks perfect!
Just came across your blog btw; and look forward to reading more of your stories + approach to cooking.
Glam, a fresh grilled fish should not be trifled with.
Zen, you should know…fresh fish makes your job all that much easier.
Rosie, I will be writing more “postcards from Greece”.
Anna, you’re too funny…Greek restaurants should charge more with the fancy name!
Taste Memory, thank you for commenting and I look forward to seeing you here again soon!
This looks amazing. You do have great presentation and style. The Latholemono would work well with so many things. Do you know how long you can keep it after making it?
Bumped your previous dinner plans, eh? Now I know you are a true fishaholic. I’ve shifted many, many meals around because I wandered into a market and said, “Holy Crap! Look at how beautiful that [whatever it is} looks! We’re eating it. Tonight.”
I’ll be hitting the striped bass this evening, Peter…