Fennel and Grapefruit Rubbed Snapper

Ingredients

  • 3 fennel bulbs, cut into 3/4-inch wedges 
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped thyme 
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 
  • Kosher salt 
  • Black pepper 
  • Two 12-ounce red snapper fillets 
  • 2 teaspoons crushed fennel seeds 
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated grapefruit zest 
  • 1 pink grapefruit, peeled and supremed

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the fennel, 1/4 cup of oil, the thyme and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and black pepper. Roast for about 20 minutes, until just tender.
  2. Gently curl 1 snapper fillet over the edge of a ceramic baking dish, skin side up. Make 5 or 6 slashes in the fillet. Repeat with the remaining fillet.
  3. In a bowl, whisk the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil, the fennel seeds and zest and rub all over the fillets and in the slashes; season with salt and pepper. Arrange the snapper skin side up on the fennel. Roast for about 8 minutes, until the fish is just cooked through. Serve the fish and fennel with the grapefruit sections.

Suggested Pairing: Citrusy, medium-bodied white Bordeaux.

Recipe courtesy of Food and Wine