Peixe Grelhado com Molho de Pimenta
Freshly grilled fish, a staple in São Tomé and Príncipe, served with a vibrant and spicy pepper sauce that highlights the island's fresh ingredients.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 medium Whole fish (e.g., sea bream, snapper)(cleaned and scaled)
- 3 tbsp Lime juice
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- For the Pepper Sauce:
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(seeded and roughly chopped)
- 1/2 medium Onion(roughly chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1-2 Scotch bonnet or bird's eye chili(seeded and minced (adjust to spice preference))
- 1/4 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 2 tbsp Lime juice
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Clean and score the fish on both sides with a few diagonal cuts.
💡 Tip: Scoring helps the fish cook evenly and absorb marinade. - 2
In a small bowl, mix together lime juice, minced garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the fish, inside and out, and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- 3
While the fish marinates, prepare the pepper sauce. Combine the chopped red bell pepper, onion, garlic, chili pepper, cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tbsp olive oil in a blender or food processor.
💡 Tip: Use gloves when handling chili peppers. - 4
Blend until you have a relatively smooth but slightly chunky sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lime or chili as needed. - 5
Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the marinated fish on the hot grill.
💡 Tip: Ensure the grill is hot before placing the fish. - 6
Grill for about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish, until it's cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
💡 Tip: Avoid overcooking the fish to keep it moist. - 7
Carefully remove the grilled fish from the grill.
💡 Tip: Use a fish spatula for easy removal. - 8
Serve the grilled fish immediately, generously spooning the fresh pepper sauce over the top.
💡 Tip: This dish pairs well with rice, fried plantains, or a simple salad.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use the freshest fish available for the best flavor.
- ✓The pepper sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili in the sauce to control the heat level.
🔄 Variations
- Grill fish fillets instead of whole fish for quicker cooking.
- Add a pinch of cumin or coriander to the pepper sauce for an extra layer of flavor.