Seafood including scallops, lobster tail, squid and monkfish being cooked on a bbq at Brixham quayside

Barbecue / Chargrill

HOW TO: Fish cooked over a fire is delicious, though it’s really important to get the optimum cooking temperature by allowing the grill bars to become hot, then waiting for the flames to die right down again.

Rub a whole fish with oil, make a few slashes into the flesh, then sprinkle lightly with fresh breadcrumbs (this will prevent sticking and leave you with some nice crispy bits).

As a guide, a 450g whole fish which serves one person, will take about 7-8 minutes to cook on each side (don’t turn the fish until this time).  You will see the skin slowly crisping and charring – if it happens too quickly your fire is too hot).  A 1 – 1.2kg fish cooked in the same way will take 12-15 minutes a side.

For fillets, rub the fish with olive oil, sprinkle lightly with breadcrumbs, and cook, skin side down, until you see the skin crisp and fish cooking as you see the heat rising through it. Flip the fillet over for the last 2 minutes of cooking time and serve.