How to make spicy and fragrant grilled snakehead fish, delicious, extremely simple, and appealing

How to Prepare Grilled Snakehead Fish with Satay

• 1

  Prepare the Snakehead Fish

  After buying the snakehead fish, remove all internal organs, use a knife to scrape off the scales, cut off the fins, and clean the cloudy white membrane inside the fish’s belly. Place the fish in a basket and rub salt over its body to clean off the slime.

  Then use warm water to rinse the entire fish, and use a knife to scrape off all the mucus sticking to the fish’s skin. Wash it with water used for rinsing rice to remove the slime, then rinse again with clean water to eliminate any remaining slime and the fishy smell of the snakehead.

  Once the snakehead fish is cleaned, use the tip of the knife to make even cuts along the backbone, stopping at the belly to prevent the fish from splitting apart!

  Next, make diagonal cuts on both sides of the fish so that the marinade can absorb evenly, making it tastier. After that, wash the fish with clean water once more and let it drain before proceeding to marinate it.

  

  
• 2

  Make the Marinade Mixture

  In a bowl, add 1/3 tablespoon of salt, 1/3 tablespoon of sugar, 4 cloves of peeled garlic, and 1/2 a sliced chili. Then use a pestle to crush all the ingredients together.

  Add 1 tablespoon of chili sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of spicy satay, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce to the bowl, then use a spoon to mix the mixture well.

  Continue by adding 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, and use a spoon to stir until the mixture dissolves.

  Note: Depending on your family’s taste, you can adjust the amount of spicy satay as desired!

  
• 3

  Marinate the fish

  You wear gloves, then use a spoon to spread the marinade over the fish and use your hands to massage the entire fish evenly. Marinate the fish for about 30 minutes.

  Tip:

  • When massaging the fish, you should stuff the spices into the cuts on both sides of the fish to help the spices penetrate the meat faster.
  • If you have time, you should marinate the fish for about 3 – 4 hours for the spices to absorb more evenly, this method helps the grilled fish taste more delicious, flavorful, and attractive.

  
• 4

  Grilled Fish

  Method 1: Grilling fish in a microwave

  After marinating the fish, place it on a baking tray and put it in the microwave for about 20 minutes at a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius. Then, remove the foil and place the fish directly on a grill using charcoal or a gas stove for about 7 – 10 minutes until the fish is dry, then take it out from the stove.

  Method 2: Grilling fish using a gas stove or charcoal grill

  Place the fish directly on the grill and cook it at a temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.

  After that, take the fish out and grill the top side for about 7 – 10 minutes, observing the top side of the fish until it is just dry, then immediately take the fish out from the stove and enjoy.

  Tip:

  • Depending on the oven, the temperature ratio may vary. You can check how your oven works and adjust the time accordingly! Typically, fish will be grilled for about 20 – 30 minutes.
  • If grilling with charcoal or a gas stove, pay attention to turning the fish continuously to avoid burning.
  • You should wrap the fish in foil before grilling to enhance its flavor.
  • The remaining sauce can be mixed with 1 teaspoon of cooking oil. After grilling the fish for 30 minutes, take it out from the stove and use a brush to apply the remaining sauce on the surface of the fish for a better color and to prevent the fish from drying out.

  
• 5

  Final Product

  Grilled snakehead fish with satay has a spicy and aromatic flavor, deliciously served with fresh vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes, providing you with a delightful meal with family.