Grouper or Other Fish Steamed in Its Own Juice, with Cilantro Sauce

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 500°F. Tear off 2 pieces of aluminum foil, each large enough to wrap the fish, then put one on top of the other. Put the fish on the foil, then in a large baking dish. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and half the lime juice in the cavity, then stuff the cavity with the cilantro stems. Sprinkle all the remaining ingredients over the fish and fold the foil over to seal in the fish.

   Step 2

   Bake until the fish flakes when probed with a fork, 15 minutes or more; don’t overcook. (Unfortunately, there is no way to check the fish without unwrapping, so don’t check for at least 15 minutes; re-wrap if necessary.)

   Step 3

   Carefully unseal the foil (watch out for hot steam) and transfer the fish toppings and any accumulated juices to a food processor or blender. Process until the mixture forms a creamy sauce, adding some lime juice or olive oil if needed. Transfer the fish to your serving dish and top with the cilantro sauce. Serve immediately.

2. Quick Baked Fish in Cilantro Sauce

   Step 4

   In step 3, omit the blending of the sauce; serve the fish with the toppings and accumulated juices spooned over and around the fish.

3. Quick Baked Fish with Butter (France)

   Step 5

   This procedure will work with any seasonings: Try wrapping fish with salt, pepper, fresh lemon juice, and butter (about 4 tablespoons, cut into bits). Use about half as much herb, about 1/4 cup; fresh parsley, dill, or chervil are best in this.

4. Quick Baked Fish with Fennel, Olive Oil, and Lemon (Italy)

   Step 6

   Wrap the fish with salt, pepper, fresh lemon juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 trimmed and sliced fennel bulb, and about 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, treated as the cilantro in the original recipe or the first variation.