| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 12 mins – 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 250 | 15g | 2g | 5g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 1g | 0g | 34g | 0.28g |
Why I Love Colombian Snapper in Lemon Sauce
Among the myriad of recipes in my culinary repertoire, the Colombian dish of Snapper in Lemon Sauce always sends my taste buds on an adventure. This meal, while quite a departure from the hearty, home-hewn flavors that I typically serve up, enamors me for the elegant fusion of subtlety and assertiveness it presents in both its flavors and textures. Truth be told, this is a dish that always leaves a lasting impression, and it is an honor to share it with you all.
Making the Journey from Montana to Colombia
Growing up amongst the ranch lands and mountains of Montana, my dishes typically involved a blend of rancher’s favorites and Native American traditions. But food, just like life, thrives on diversity and the exploration of the unfamiliar. The Snapper in Lemon Sauce is a product of my culinary adventures beyond the borders of home. A delightful dish I encountered during my trip to the coastal towns of Colombia—a place where the rhythm of life is just as engaging as their food.
The recipe is said to have originated from the coastal town of Cartagena and takes inspiration from eminent Colombian chef, Leonor Espinosa, known for her dedication to the culinary heritage of the colonies along Colombian coasts. While I do not claim any direct inspiration from her in developing this recipe, her contributions to Colombian food culture lay the bedrock of some of its most beloved traditional dishes, including this one.
Flavors that Inspire
Now, I don’t expect everyone to immediately draw parallels between this dish and any of my Montana classics, but if you dive a little deeper, you’ll find some beautiful connections. There’s the same love for genuine, earthy ingredients that you would find in my bison burgers or huckleberry pies. But instead of the lean meat or juicy berries, here it’s beautifully tender fillets of red snapper, enlivened by the piquant spark of lemon, garlic, and capers, and rounded off with a hint of umami from the white wine.
Served with steamed rice or yucca fries, the Snapper in Lemon Sauce is a meal that captivates, soothes, and delight the palate all at once. Its gentle appeal to gourmet indulgence is similar to how you might enjoy a Venison Steak back home. And so, through this congenial Colombian recipe, you might find a charming new angle to appreciate the flavors that I’ve always loved sharing with you.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of red snapper fillets
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup of white wine
- Juice of 3 lemons
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 2 tablespoons of capers, drained
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
Method
Step One
Season the red snapper fillets with salt and black pepper on both sides. Then coat them lightly with the all-purpose flour.
Step Two
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the fillets and fry them until they are golden brown on both sides. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side. Once they’re done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
Step Three
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté it until it’s fragrant. This should only take about a minute.
Step Four
Pour the white wine into the skillet and let it simmer until it reduces to about half. This should take around 2-3 minutes. Then, add in the lemon juice and let it simmer for an extra minute.
Step Five
Add the butter to the skillet and stir it in until it’s fully melted. Then, add the capers and the fresh parsley.
Step Six
Return the red snapper fillets to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them a few times to fully coat them. Let them simmer in the sauce for a couple of minutes.
Step Seven
Check your seasoning and add more salt or pepper if needed. Then remove the skillet from the heat. Your Snapper in Lemon Sauce is now ready to be served and enjoyed!
