Thinking of grilling fish this weekend? Certain types of fish are trickier than others, but almost any type of seafood can be grilled — shellfish, whole fish, steaks and fillets. Meaty fish are ideal for grilling because they hold together well and are easy to handle. For salmon, use lower heat because salmon has a high fat content and the fat will melt and cause flare-ups if the heat is too high.

Delicate, flaky fish pose more of a challenge on the grill because they fall apart easily. A grill basket solves that problem because it encloses the fish on both sides. Just be sure to oil the grill basket or spray with nonstick spray to prevent the fish from sticking. If you do not have a basket, you can use a wide metal spatula for turning the fish.

Be sure to oil the grill grates well. Grilling times and temperatures will vary depending on the type of fish, its density or flakiness and its thickness. Meaty, dense fish (tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi, swordfish) will take longer to cook than lighter, flakier fish (cod, halibut). Start by cooking the fish over high heat, but if the fish is browning too fast, lower the heat to medium-high.

Grilled Shrimp Pitas

6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 6 pitas, about 6-inch diameter
• 3 cups lettuce
• Sliced red onion and plum tomatoes

Directions

For the Sauce

In a medium-size bowl, stir together yogurt, crumbled feta, cucumber and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Shrimp

Combine olive oil, lemon juice, mint, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add shrimp, seal bag and shake to coat shrimp with marinade. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Heat gas grill to medium-high or prepare a charcoal grill with medium-hot coals. Lightly coat the grill rack with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place shrimp in a grilling basket and grill for 3 minutes. Baste once with the remaining marinade. Turn shrimp and grill for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.

To serve, equally divide the lettuce, sauce and shrimp over each pita. Add onion and tomato.

Grilled Hazelnut Salmon

4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 six-ounce skinless salmon fillets, about 1 inch thick
• 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil
• 1/3 cup finely ground hazelnuts
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup hazelnut oil
• 2 ½ cups arugula
• 1 cup yellow or red tiny pear-shape or grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 ounces Brie cheese, cubed
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives

Directions

Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. Brush one side of the  fillets evenly with the 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil. In a 9-inch pie plate stir together ground hazelnuts, flour and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Dip the oil brushed side of the salmon in the nut mixture; coat well.

For a charcoal grill, arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Place fish, coated sides up, on the greased grill rack over the pan. Cover and grill for 14 to 18 minutes or until fish begins to flake when tested with a fork. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Place fish, coated sides up, on greased grill rack over the burner that is turned off. Grill as directed.)

For the dressing

In a small bowl combine vinegar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; whisk in the 1/4 cup hazelnut oil. Reserve 1/4 cup of the dressing; set aside. In a large bowl toss arugula, tomatoes, cheese and chives with the remaining dressing. Divide evenly among serving plates.

Add a grilled salmon fillet to each plate. Drizzle salmon with reserved dressing.

Tuna with Fruit Salsa

4 servings

Ingredients

• Four 5 ounce tuna steaks, 1-inch thick
• 2 fresh ripe peaches, halved and pitted
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions

Lightly brush tuna steaks and peach halves with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat grill and oil the grates.

Grill tuna and peaches over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Remove peaches; set aside to cool. Coarsely chop peaches.

Turn tuna and cook 6 to 7 minutes more or until it flakes easily when tested with a fork. Transfer tuna to a platter; cover to keep warm.

In a medium microwave-safe bowl heat apricot preserves on 100 percent power (high) for 15 seconds. Stir in vinegar; gently fold in raspberries and chopped peaches.

Serve fruit salsa with tuna steaks and sprinkle with green onions.

Mustard-Glazed Halibut Steaks

Save time and grill a vegetable or two alongside the fish.

4 servings

Ingredients

• Four 4-5 ounce halibut (or any white fish) steaks, cut 1 inch thick
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons finely snipped fresh basil

Directions

Pat fish dry with paper towels.

In small saucepan heat butter, lemon juice, mustard and basil over low heat until butter is melted. Brush both sides of the fish steaks with the mustard mixture.

For a gas grill: cook fish steaks on greased rack over medium for 8 to 12 minutes or just until fish begins to flake easily when tested with a fork, turning once and brushing occasionally with additional mustard mixture.

For a charcoal grill: arrange preheated coals around a drip pan in a covered grill. Heat to medium and place fish on the greased grill rack over the drip pan. Cover and grill for 8 to 12 minutes or just until fish begins to flake easily when tested with a fork, turning once and brushing occasionally with the mustard mixture.

Grilled Scallops With Salsa Verde

Choose scallops that are “dry” (not stored in liquid preservatives). Large sea scallops are better for the grill; small bay scallops could overcook before browning or fall through the grates. Make sure to coat them thoroughly in an oil based marinade before grilling, so they don’t stick to the grate.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 large sea scallops, side muscle removed
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 metal skewers
• Salsa Verde, recipe below

Directions

Prepare grill for medium-high heat; oil grate. Mix scallops with oil and season with salt and pepper. Thread scallops on 4 metal skewers and place them on the grill, flat side down. Grill, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Serve scallops with Salsa Verde.

Salsa Verde

This sauce is delicious with shellfish.

Ingredients

Makes About 1 Cup

• Half a lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

Directions

Squeeze juice from the half lemon after the peel is removed and set aside. Combine the lemon zest, shallot and garlic in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Let sit 5 minutes. Add oil, parsley, basil and chives. Stir in reserved lemon juice.

Posted by Jovina Coughlin in apricot, arugula, Balsamic Vinegar, Cheese, Fish, halibut, peaches, pita, raspberries, Salad, Salad Dressing, salmon, salsa verde, Sauces, scallops, shrimp, tuna, Vegetables, yogurt Tags: fish steaks, how to grill seafood, shellfish