Spicy Fish Sandwich. Red snapper fish is available locally either fresh in-season or frozen when out of season. Usually, I will bake red snapper in the oven and serve alongside a salad. Or, I’ll make my Hearty Grilled Fish over White Bean Stew. Red snapper is a simple and versatile weeknight dinner ingredient. When #FishFriday calls for a Spicy Fish Sandwich, try my seasoned baked red snapper on a bun with the fixins.
Growing up, I wasn’t a huge fan of Mrs. Paul’s frozen fish sticks and fillets. I didn’t eat a lot of fresh fish dishes until my mid-20s. Probably the most famous widely-available commercial fish sandwich is the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich. Usually, I would order the Big Mac sandwich at McDonald’s. Once in a while, the Filet-O-Fish sandwich and fries were a nice substitute when I used to eat fast food.
As I got older, and had more access to good fresh wild-caught fish, I began to make more fish dishes at home. Fish is also a bit more delicate to cook so care is required. Purchasing fish is expensive, in my opinion, so buying on sale and freezing it is a good idea. Trader Joe’s has an acceptable selection of fresh and frozen fish although some of the fish is farmed. I prefer wild-caught fish. Whole Foods Market fresh fish selection is the best available in my area although very expensive. Costco has some seasonal deals on fresh wild caught fish.
My Spicy Fish Sandwich is a simple weeknight dish that takes less than 15 minutes to make if the fish is already thawed in the refrigerator. To start, stir together some spicy Piment d’Espelette seasoning and your favorite mayonnaise and set aside. Piment d’Espelette is a spicy pepper seasoning with a bit of a “bite” to it.
Season a fillet of skin-on red snapper (or another fleshy fish) with the Piment d’Espelette, salt, and pepper. Dot with a pat of butter for some decadence.
Bake the fish fillet skin side down on parchment paper-lined baking sheet until it’s opaque but not overcooked. You could also fry the fish in some butter or oil in a pan but I like it baked just as well. Slide the baked fish flesh off its skin which should be simple to do with a spatula.
Broil a halved sub roll until golden brown. Spread the roll halves with the spicy mayo. Place the baked snapper fillet onto the bottom roll, add shredded lettuce, top with the other roll half, slice, plate, and serve!
Enjoy!!
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From the kitchen of A Food Lover’s Delight….
Spicy Fish Sandwich
Ingredients:
1/4 c mayonnaise
2 t Piment d’Espelette seasoning (or smoked paprika with a dash of cayenne), plus a little extra to season the fish
6 oz. red snapper fillet or another firm flesh fish fillet, skin on
Salt and pepper to season the fish
1 T butter (optional)
1 sub roll, split lengthwise (or your favorite sandwich roll)
Lettuce leaves, chopped/shredded
Method:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix together the mayonnaise and the Piment d’Espelette seasoning in a non-metallic bowl. Set aside.
3. Put the red snapper fillet, skin side down, on a parchment-lined baking pan.
4. Season the snapper with salt and pepper. Place the optional butter on top of the fish.
5. Bake the snapper for 12 – 14 minutes or until the fish is opaque and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook it.
6. When the snapper has cooked, remove it from the oven. Carefully slide the baked fish fillet off its skin with a spatula. Set aside.
7. Turn on the broiler.
8. Place the sub roll halves, inside up, on another pan and toast them in the oven until lightly broiled. Remove the roll halves from the oven.
9. Spread some of the seasoned mayonnaise on each roll half.
10. Using a metal spatula, slide the snapper fillet flesh from its skin. Discard skin.
11. Place the snapper fillet onto the bun bottom.
12. Top the snapper with the chopped lettuce.
13. Put the bun top on the sandwich, slice in half, plate, and serve.
Makes one spicy fish sandwich. Offer with my Easy Spicy Refrigerator Dill Pickles, Simple Oven Baked Potato Fries, crispy onion rings, or my Dill Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing.
Variations: Use a different fleshy fish such as salmon, mahi mahi or halibut that won’t fall apart. Saute the fish in a pan in some butter if you prefer a crispier finish. Try a toasted hamburger bun or a warmed pita pocket. Add some tomato and sliced onion to the sandwich for a different flavor. Add some garlic to the spicy mayo. Instead of mayo, use tartar sauce with some of the Piment d’Espelette seasoning mixed in.
Order some Piment d’Espelette seasoning from Amazon:
Get this cute Red Snapper ornament at Amazon to celebrate your love of the fish:
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