Dourada Grelhada (Grilled Sea Bream)

Ingredients

Sea bream (dourada)

1 whole, cleaned and scaled, approximately 1.5-2 lbs

Olive oil

3 tablespoons, plus extra for drizzling

Garlic

4 cloves, minced

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Lemon

1, sliced into rounds

Fresh parsley

2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)

Lemon garlic sauce

for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Rinse the sea bream under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. This step is essential for achieving a crispy skin.
3. Generously rub the fish inside and out with olive oil to lock in moisture and flavor.
4. Season the fish liberally with salt and black pepper. Then, add the minced garlic inside the cavity and spread some on the skin as well.
5. Place several slices of lemon inside the fish cavity to infuse it with fresh citrus flavor while grilling.
6. Carefully place the fish on the grill. Grill for about 7-8 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crispy and the flesh flakes easily with a fork. Use a spatula to flip the fish gently to avoid breaking it.
7. Once cooked, remove the fish from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute for a more flavorful bite.
8. For the optional lemon garlic sauce, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
9. Serve the grilled sea bream hot, garnished with additional lemon slices, chopped fresh parsley, and a drizzle of lemon garlic sauce if desired.