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Last month, my Apricot and Pistachio cake was voted as the top entry in the monthly Royal Foodie Joust, hosted by Jenn the Leftover Queen.

Each month, the victor chooses the three ingredients that must be included in the dish and then anyone who belongs to the forum may then vote for their favourite dish.

As the victor in last month’s competition, I was awarded with (other than bragging rights) the coveted “Apron”.

As part of my coaxing of votes, I promised (threatened) to wear nothing but the apron, should I win the Joust. I said it – I did it!

The three ingredients I’ve chosen for this month’s Joust are seafood, cilantro (coriander) and sesame.

I found a very interesting recipe in a book called The Food of Korea and this red snapper dish jumped right out at me.

It’s very simple…red snapper (or other white-fleshed fish) fillet, toasted sesame oil, salt and cilantro.

As a side, I braised some lentils with a bay, parsley and fresh oregano and and finished it with a French Rouille (more on that another day).

The original recipe called for the fish to be grilled but any hope of using my BBQ went out the window, what with over 30mm of rain yesterday.

I sauteed the fish in a non-stick pan over high heat and I must say…the result was an aromatic fish that was seasoning perfectly, succulent and flaky at the same time.

For those not keen on cilantro, parsley would work just fine here.

Red Snapper Seared in Sesame Oil With Cilantro

1-2 red snapper fillets per person
fine sea salt

toasted sesame oil

chopped fresh cilantro

sesame seeds for garnish
lemon slices for garnish

  1. Ask your fish monger to scale and fillet the red snapper. Wash and pat dry your fillets and with your fingers, gently rub the meat of the fish to see if any pin needles need to still be removed. Use needle-nose pliers or tweezers to remove them.
  2. A half hour before serving dinner, sprinkle some sea salt on the skin and flesh side of the fish and place back in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  3. Remove the fillets from the fish and rinse and pat dry (do not re-season, the salt penetrated the fish).
  4. Brush a some toasted sesame oil on both sides of the fish and pre-heat your non-stick fry pan.
  5. Over medium-high heat, saute your fillets skin-side down first for approx. 3 minutes and then for another 1 1/2 minute on the flesh side. If sauteing in batches, keep the fillets warm in a pre-heated oven.
  6. Serve on a bed of braised lentils with a garnish of sesame seeds, lemon and chopped fresh cilantro.

73 Responses

  1. Re: posing in the apron and nothing else..
    It makes one wonder, who is taking the picture?
    Also – are there black socks involved?
    We, too, refrained from bbqing yesterday.
    Your fish looks tasty and fresh, I have never cooked red snapper before.

  2. Congrats on winning the joust again. Your ingredients are very exciting, and I have ideas percolating through the brain already.

    The photo is too much. It was the first thing I saw when the page loaded and my reaction was “waaah?” and I immediately thought “oh no, this is some new cooking au naturale trend sweeping through canada” :)

  3. Thanks so much for playing along Peter and holding up your end of the bargain! ;)

    It does look like a baby apron on you – they need to have another size category “Macedonian”!

    Not only that , but you also created a recipe to your own ingredient specifications! Looks so tasty – sorry your BBQ didn’t work out though!

    Yeah…and who did take that pic?

  4. Congratulations Peter!!! Bravo!!
    Same question pls!! Who took the pic??
    As of the dish, delicious as usually!!
    I’ll try to make it with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro.
    I usually make it with oregano, lemon pepper, garlic and a lot of fresh lemon juice:)

  5. Didn’t you warn against cooking “au naturel” on Valentine’s Day? Wouldn’t that also apply to BBQ?

    Fish is one of those great foods that needs few ingredients to alter its flavor a bit, and is always a delight!

  6. Yes, we are all fascinated by the *apron* shot. Will this become a new requirement for Joust winners? Talk about raising the bar! I love that you served the fish over lentils and can’t wait to see how you did them.

  7. Very tasteful photo Peter. I was a little worried!!!

    You stole my idea for the Joust…Now what am I going to do??? It looks incredible!

  8. I am shocked and delighted to see that you have stepped out of your Mediterranean comfort zone and used a Korean recipe! :D I love Korean food.

  9. What no photos of you in the arpon?! I love the ingredients you choose for this months joust. I hope I get a chance to participate, but my place is in disarray with the move. Good Luck.

  10. Snappy outfit to go with a snapper menu! Love the idea of paring this fish with lentils. Um, Peter, now that you’re down to just an apron, what will you promise to pose in for the next competition?

  11. JS, you should see the photos in the “members section”!

    Kat, I have blow-ups avaialble. ;)

    Mary, what won’t do?

    Judy, the apron’s too small…I couldn’t show anything below the waist.

    Heather, I like taking exotic food trips and I certainly do it when eating out.

    Parker…look again!

    Hake Baked…nudge-nudge. :)

    Jen, I have to keep it up!

    Pam, let me get them tanned 1st!

    Jan, naughty-naughty!

    Paula…It would be very hard to win back to back, make a suggestion…

    Mary, that would be hard…there are some fantastic entries this month.

  12. look at you, fiercely wielding those kitchen implements. if you have any close neighbors, you gave them quite a show! :)
    and by the way, i think people who dislike cilantro must be aliens from a different planet. it’s just not natural. :)

  13. did you put that mirror specifically in the bushes so we could see your ass? you’re so freaking vain. and, ok, your snapper looks pretty damn tasty.

  14. Fish looks great, but don’t you think that Canadian flag speedo would have been smashing with the apron? A little free advertising for some of your favorite things:)

  15. You’ve managed to capture a few of my favourites all in one dish: cilantro, snapper, and lentils (puy maybe? I can’t tell from the photo).

    And yes, to answer your question from before – fish-eating vegetarian, though I realise that hardly qualifies me as a vegetarian. ;)

  16. Love the picture Peter!! you loook soo well! and of course I love this lovely dish, I love sesam, fish, all!!! is absolutely yummy!! (eejjm you only use the apron????? wow!!) xxxGloria

  17. Peter, I dont know whats worse. This or the Boner King. Good thing ypur neighbors dodnt call the health department. I see all sorts of violations going on here. But that fish could bribe them. DELISH!

  18. Grace, the neighbors are oblivious to my backyard antics. As for cilantro, I was an alien but I've grown to like it.

    Never Full…do I hear any requests for Carly Simon?

    Prudy, the Speedo's packed for Europe…gonna make a big bang!

    Ahhh MAria, your type is now in an addition in the dictionary…a pescetarian!

    Bagel, thanks for the tag and for your wishes and yes, I was wearing something underneath (sorry pervs).

    Maryann, over here the smiles are free! ;)

    Gloria, do you not like the apron? lol

    Antonio…you're warped and I like that!

    Glam, the best thing about the Boner King nite was that it took you 'til halfway through the night to notice it!

    Jessy, enter the Joust…you can win an apron too!

    Dragon, snapper & apron..not too good in the same sentence…ouch!

  19. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  20. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  21. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  22. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  23. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  24. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  25. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  26. Do these people not know about self timers on cameras……..BTW why and at who are you laughing,LOL!
    Nice dish indeed!!!

  27. you look adorable in the apron! hehehe

    i love red snapper! this seems doable enough for beginners like me hehe

  28. The fish looks amazing, and not overly complicated either. The combination of nudity and flame are ususally their own reward, at least for the onlookers, but you seem to have gotten through unscathed :) Good for you on upholding your end of the deal!

  29. Wooooooowwweeeeeee! You did it!!! Ha, ha, ha! YOu make me laugh Mister Kalofagas :D. Does this mean that if I make the same promise I will get that apron too?… Aaaaawwwhhh should I?, should I? I really want that joust apron ;-)

    I love the way you used the ingredients with the red snappers, chico! Plus the pictures are great! Bowing, bowing :D

  30. Nice shot! I am curious about who took the pic….

    Your snapper looks lovely! I just actually posted a dish with seafood, cilantro and sesame oil… Can I play???

    Yours looks much more professional though.

  31. please tell me you were wearing pants/shorts when that picture was taken!? LOL As for the fish, looks delightful! I still have to drop that lake trout off to you before you leave for Greece, so I will try to do so later this week.

  32. Kevin, the pairing worked very well.

    Nina, the photo was taken by a “friend”…not telling who!

    Mocha, this fish dish is very easy.

    Mike, glad you like the fish at rofl’ed at the apron! lol

    Dragon, I know…I was being silly too!

    Fearless, the coast was clear but that combo works well for Valentines Day.

    Nuria, when you win…I expect something similar from you, ok? lol

    Leslie, wearing nothing but the apron and a smile! ;)

    Nicole, it’s not too late to join the Joust and add your entry.

    Sam, I’ll tell ya when you drop off the trout, thank you for the catch!

    Ruth, it (the apron) was a little small…I’ll have to compete for a newer, larger one!

  33. You are the Greek version of Jamie Oliver the Naked Chef Peter.As to the snapper I have no doubt that you and your photographer enjoyed this dinner immensely.

  34. Ha ha ha – who took the photo??? ;)

    Congrats again on your win – I already have my dish planned for your ingredients!

  35. Peter you chose a few great ingredients. This will be my first time taking part in the food joust and I just posted my recipe in the Forum.

    I love your take on the ingredients and am thoroughly enjoying all the different creations 3 ingredients can make!
    By the way hot stuff – I of course meant the apron ;-)

  36. What a wonderful recipe – and what perfectly seared fish! Too gorgeous. I also think that serving fish on lentils should be compulsory…

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