GRILLED BRANZINO WITH VEGETABLES

Grilled Branzino with Vegetables image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 9

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8 whole branzini (about 1 pound each), cleaned, scales removed
About 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 lemons, thinly sliced into rounds, plus wedges for garnish
16 sprigs fresh thyme
24 fresh bay leaves
8 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
8 Belgian endives, halved lengthwise
2 fennel bulbs, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

Steps:

Rub each fish inside and out with some of the oil, and season inside with salt and pepper. Arrange about 4 lemon slices and 2 thyme sprigs in each cavity. Tie fish loosely with kitchen twine. Tuck 3 bay leaves under twine.
Toss tomatoes, endives, fennel, 2 tablespoons oil, salt, and pepper in a cast-iron skillet (if crowded, cook in batches).
Preheat grill to medium. (If you are using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 5 or 6 seconds.) Place skillet on grill, and cook, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are tender and caramelized, about 12 minutes. At the same time, place fish on grill rack, and cook, flipping once, until opaque, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Drizzle fish and vegetables with oil, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.