Frenchy's Rockaway Grill on the beach.

One of the many advantages of living in Florida is access to fresh grouper. There is a famous restaurant in Clearwater called Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill that makes the most amazing fried grouper sandwich. I treat myself when I am there, but have discovered a few tasty alternatives that are low in fat/calories and high in deliciousness!

You have to start with the highest quality grouper. We always buy fish at Cox’s seafood on Dale Mabry when we are looking for the freshest fish. The original recipe comes from Cooking Light – Fresh Food Fast, but as I have made adjustments as I usually do.

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs     5 tablespoons finely chopped shelled pistachios

4 (6-ounce) or 2 larger grouper fillets      1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 large eggs slightly beaten (you can use only the whites if you wish)

Lavender Honey Sauce     Lemon Wedges     Lavender sprigs for garnish

1.  If you are cooking inside preheat oven to 450 degrees. We cooked the fish in a sprayed pyrex dish and used the guidelines in The Weber Cookbook to cook it on indirect heat until flakey. Do not over cook.

2. Combine breadcrumbs and pistachios in a shallow dish. Sprinkle the fish with pepper. Dip the fillets in the egg and then the pistachio mixture. I really packed on the coating! Place in the prepared pyrex dish and cook about 15 minutes until fish flakes easily. Drizzle with Lavender Honey sauce and serve over Jasmine rice with lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Pistachio crusted grouper

Lavender Honey Sauce

2 tablespoons butter     2 tablespoons lavender honey     1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Combine above ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat stirring constantly until all ingredients are melted and smoothly combined.  Yield: about 1/4 cup