Kingfish with Potatoes:
Often I am asked if I like kingfish and that is a hard question for me to answer with a
yes or no. Kingfish
is an oily fish and will not freeze well. Large kingfish are strong and need to be smoked.
Some people
unlike myself. never eat a fish they did not like. There is a criterion that I need to
follow closely for me to
say yes to kingfish. It will make a big difference in taste and texture that should
improve any recipe.
CRITERIA: The fish needs to be about eight
to ten pounds, caught that day, and go from hook to ice.
This alone can constitute a gourmet treat.
INGREDIENTS:
kingfish steaks about 3/4 inch thick
onion rings
green pepper rings
thinly sliced raw potatoes
Italian salad dressing (oil & vinegar style)
paprika
black pepper
salt or celery salt
I consider this a one pot dinner that will work out well for an onboard or a camping menu.
On a large peace of aluminum foil, lay out the fish steaks.
Brush the steaks lightly on the top with dressing, sprinkle with seasoning.
Add a layer of onion and pepper rings, salt and pepper.
Add enough sliced potatoes to match the portions of fish.
Add dressing, seasoning and dust with paprika for color.
Fold up sides of foil and leave partially open at the top.
Place in oven 350 degrees, cook until potatoes are done.
The dressing can be varied in many ways to suit
your taste or to give the recipe a new character. One variation is lemon, butter and fresh herbs. My
favorite is a simple combination of olive oil, fresh lemon
and malt vinegar with only one (1) fresh herb. Oregano is a popular herb to use but dill,
fennel, tarragon
and many others will give the recipe a new freshness if desired.
NOTE: Use dressing sparingly as not to
saturate fish stakes with oil while cooking. The onion, green
pepper and potatoes will mellow the fish flavor and the potatoes will taste wonderful. A
baking dish will
work well in place of foil.
Capt. Bob Smith