Description
A flavorful and aromatic baked red snapper recipe infused with garlic, Cajun spices, and fresh herbs. Served on a bed of seasoned roasted vegetables and topped with butter and lemon slices, this dish is a perfect healthy dinner option that’s easy to prepare and bursting with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Marinade
- 2 snapper fillets
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic paste (or 3 cloves minced)
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- Fresh rosemary, basil, oregano, and thyme (or dried herbs—use 1–2 types)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
For Baking
- 2 tbsp butter
- Lemon slices
Vegetables
- Carrots, chopped
- Tomatoes, chopped
- Bell peppers, chopped
- Other vegetables of choice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for evenly roasting the fish and vegetables.
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, combine Cajun seasoning, garlic paste, lemon pepper, paprika, black pepper, your choice of fresh or dried herbs, chili flakes if using, olive oil, and salt. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Fish: Pat the snapper fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Rub the marinade generously over both sides of the fish, reserving about 2 teaspoons for the vegetables.
- Season Vegetables: Toss your chopped carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, and any other vegetables you like with the reserved marinade, coating them evenly. Place the vegetables in a baking dish to form a base layer.
- Assemble: Lay the marinated snapper fillets on top of the bed of vegetables. Place 1 tablespoon of butter on each fillet and arrange lemon slices over the fish for added flavor and moisture during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the snapper fillets. The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the vegetables are tender.
Notes
- You can use either fresh or dried herbs; fresh herbs provide a brighter flavor while dried herbs are more potent.
- The chili flakes are optional and can be adjusted according to your preferred spice level.
- Use other vegetables like zucchini or asparagus depending on your preference and seasonality.
- Ensure not to overbake the fish to keep it moist and flaky.
- If you don’t have garlic paste, substitute with freshly minced garlic cloves.
