Grilled Opakapaka Recipes

OPAKAPAKA W/TRI-CITRUS BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Season the opakapaka with salt and pepper, then cover evenly with flour.
• Heat the clarified butter on medium heat in a saute pan.
• Place the opakapaka in the pan with the skin side up and cook for 3 - 3 1/2 minutes. Turn fish over and cook for an additional 3 - 3 1/2 minutes.
• Place the cooked opakapaka on a large plate and drizzle the tri-citrus butter sauce around the fish.
• Garnish with fried basil and fruit sections.

PETER MERRIMAN'S KAMA 'AINA WHOLE FISH DINNER

Steps:

• Preheat the grill.
• Score the whole fish with criss-crossed marks, about 8 or 10, from head to mid-tail. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ginger, garlic, and chile flakes. Place 2 large pieces of aluminum foil, shiny side down, on a work surface. Place the ti leaves over the aluminum foil, to cover. Rub the mayonnaise mixture all over the fish and place on the ti leaves. Fold the ti leaves over the fish and follow with the aluminum foil to create a tight seal.
• Place the wrapped fish on the hot grill and grill for 10 to 12 minutes on each side. Remove the fish from the grill, carefully unwrap, and sprinkle with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

OPAKAPAKA FISH ON HIRABARA BABY GREENS, GREEN APPLE VINAIGRETTE, AND STILTON BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Begin by making the vinaigrette. Combine all of the ingredients in a blender except for the olive oil, apples, and baby greens. Blend well until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil and blend well. Remove vinaigrette from blender and add the apples, mix, and set aside.
• Over a very hot grill, place the fish and grill for approximately 2 minutes per side.
• Brush the bread with the olive oil and lightly toast. Toss the baby greens in the vinaigrette and place in the center of each plate.
• Once the fish is ready, place on top of the baby greens, spread Stilton on the toast and place on the side of the salad and serve.

PESTO MAYONNAISE COVERED OPAKAPAKA FISH

Steps:

• Preheat a grill. In a food processor, combine the basil, parsley, macadamia nuts, red pepper flakes, and garlic, and blend until well mixed. Once the pesto is ready, add the mayonnaise and mix well.
• Spread the pesto mayonnaise on the flesh side of each fish fillet and place, pesto-side down, on the grill. Grill for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, turn and grill until fish is just opaque and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve on top of rice or favorite salad greens.

SALT CRUSTED HAWAIIAN OPAKAPAKA

Steps:

• Season fish with salt and pepper. On a flat surface lay out the banana leaf. Place fish on leaf laying the potatoes, tomato, cabbage, pepper, carrot, lemon, and herbs on top of fish. Pour wine over and place butter cubes on top. Carefully fold edges of banana leaf to encase the fish in a package.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Mix salt and egg white together. On a greased cookie sheet, spread a base of the salt 1/2-inch thick and large enough to hold the fish package. Place the fish on salt base and continue to pack the salt over the fish until entirely covered. Pack firmly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Gently crack the salt crust with a hammer or back of a knife. Fold open the banana leaf to expose fish. Be careful of escaping steam. Transfer fish with a spatula to a serving platter. Spoon the liquid remaining in the banana leaf over the fish. Serve.