A versatile fish, whole red snapper is delicious grilled, baked, or steamed. Fillets are versatile, too, but are especially good pan-fried, broiled, grilled, or braised.

If you are cooking skin-on fillets, they may curl; prevent this by lightly scoring the skin with a sharp knife.

While a simple preparation of red snapper featuring your favorite seasonings will provide a memorable meal, its delicate flavor pairs especially well with strong flavors such as chilies, spice rubs, and tropical fruits.

Baking

For one 3-pound (1,371-gram) red snapper, saut 1 chopped onion and 2 cloves of chopped garlic in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil. Add seasonings such as tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper, if desired. Put the snapper in a buttered baking dish. Cover with the vegetables and seasonings and bake covered in an oven preheated to 400F (204C) for 25 minutes. Remove cover, baste, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Barbecuing

Squeeze 1 lemon cut in wedges over pound of (225 grams) skinned snapper fillets, - to -inch (1.3- to 1.9-cm) thick. Season to taste with garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush griddle with oil. Heat over medium heat. Grill fish for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until thickest part of fish flakes with a fork.