Grilling Cedar-Wrapped Snapper for the #whatscookingchallenge

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Cedar-Wrapped Snapper on the grill with a side of squash and zucchini! It has been awhile since I participated in the #whatscookingchallenge hosted by @jaynie, but I was putting this meal together and thought it would be a nice fit. I recently went on a deep sea fishing trip while on vacation and I have been dying to cook up the snapper we caught on that trip. What better day than Father’s Day to break open the grill and get the coal glowing?

Speaking of the grill, most of the coal prep was covered in the accompanying video with a few other tips and tricks I use when grilling fish!

Here’s what you will need:

• Snapper Fillets(preferably ones you caught on a wicked awesome fishing trip on vacation!!!)
• Zucchini and Squash (peeled and medallioned)
• Butter
• Desired Seasoning
• Cedar Wrap Sheets

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^{Soaking the cedar wraps in water and red wine vinegar.}

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The first thing you want to do once you get all of the necessary ingredients together is to take the cedar wrappings and place them in water and your choice of flavoring and place a bowl or cups on top of them to keep them submerged. I use red wine vinegar, but rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, whiskey, vodka, or just about any type of flavored liquid will do the trick.

While they are soaking you can begin to prepare the other ingredients and take the time to get your coals started for the grill. I use a chimney starter and I avoid lighter fluid or a gas grill unless I’m in an emergency and have no other choice.

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^{Cutting up the squash and zucchini.}

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I peel and medallion the zucchini and squash and place them in a boat made from tin foil. I add Everglades seasoning, garlic powder, and pats of butter throughout the veggies and then I set them aside while I prep the fish.

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^{Tin foil “boat”, works good for shrimp too!}

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^{Check for bones, and then check again. A sanitized pair of tweezers is perfect for extracting the bones.!}

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It is important to inspect the fish fillets for any foreign objects or for bones that may have been missed during processing. NOTHING ruins a meal faster than your guest choking until they’re blue on a fish bone! After a thorough inspection, I add a mixture of garlic powder, Everglades seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, and a cajun style rub liberally across the fish.

The pieces of fish are then laid across the cedar wraps and then they are folded over and secured in place with the included twine. I usually soak the twine also to help keep them from burning and releasing on the grill.

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^{Nice and snug!}

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^{Required selfie, man my rear facing camera is junk.}

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Once all of the fish are warm and snug in their cedar beds, you can add them and the vegetable boat to the grill. Cooking fish is something that must be done with complete attention, because it is extremely easy to overcook fish and have it come out chewy and rubbery instead of light, fluffy, and flakey. Most cuts of fish will take no more than 3 to 5 minutes on each side and then they need to be taken off the grill. The vegetables will probably take longer so you may want to put them on the grill about 10 minutes before the fish.

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^{Fresh off of the grill.}

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^{Tasty goodness inside!}

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Now that you have your cedar packs off of the grill and back in the kitchen, you need to carefully open them up. I use a oven mit to hold them steady and then I clip the twin with kitchen shears. You can use a knife but the sawing motion on the twine can mash the fish and make it ugly. Trust me it will still taste the same!

The reason I use these cedar wraps is that it allows me to add a delicate amount of smoke flavor to the fish without it overpowering the clean, fresh flavor of the meat. It is also quicker than soaking wood chips or using wood logs to attain the smoke flavor. If you have never tried using cedar wraps or planks, I highly recommend that you do. They are great for fish, pork, and chicken. Thanks for checking my post out and happy grilling!

Now I’m tagging @rwedegis, @foxyspirit, @ericstotle, @gails-word-syrup, and @sushiqueen because the challenge requires it. Hopefully they will forgive me and participate, or not..lol

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^{Finished product}

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All photos and videos are my own creation unless otherwise noted.

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Animation By @zord189

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All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter,
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
-Tolkien

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