So one of my favorite things (as those who have read other posts can attest to) are these little spice bundles that are sold along with green onions at the local market here. I love that I can get some fresh herbs and spices for basically free around here. But I had picked up a couple really nice bundles at the market and they always include this little leafy herb known here as shadow benny. I have only more recently actually learned what it is called, but it smells so savory and delicious I have thrown it in a few meals here and there when it just felt right. But inspired by this savory, almost stew-like herb – I decided to play around with a savory snapper dish.
What You Need:
2 snapper fillets
green bell peppers, sliced (or any other color, but green are local here)
onion, sliced
4 bay leaves
2 shadow benny leaves (optional)
2-3 limes, sliced
green onions, chopped
black pepper
What I did was I first constructed some aluminum foil baking pouches. I sprayed the inside lightly to prevent the fish from sticking. Then I quickly sautéed the bell peppers and onions to give them some flavor and assure they would be soft and added about 1/4 to each pouch. Then I placed in a bay leaf and then laid my fish filet, skin down, on top. I seasoned the top well with pepper, placed my shadow benny leaf, and then covered it with lime slices. Then I added another bay leaf and topped another 1/4 of the vegetables in.
I closed up my little foil pouch and placed them into the oven, at about 350 degrees or so (my oven has numbers, so I went with 3 in my 1-4 scale, whatever that is). Once the fish was cooked and flaked easily, I considered them done and served them up with some fresh veggies and probably some rice, Tyler’s favorite. The fish was so moist and so flavorful!
We were in love with this dish. I highly recommend it. And for all of my oven-less friends on the island, a toaster oven is your best friend so don’t forget it can bake too! You so need one. Enjoy!