
Is there anything better than fresh fish? I mean really fresh – like catching it yourself. Rockfish season opened on the bay and we gather together for an annual fishing trip. This year we hooked two fish that were over 40”!
Our friend Marsha was the first to reel one in. She is celebrating her 80th birthday and she was so excited to have caught the first fish. Isn’t she cute?
The Captain was just as excited as she was – He has never had an Eighty year old snag a fish on his boat.
We had a beautiful day on the bay. The water was smooth and calm, no rain and it’s so relaxing to be out there with people we love.
When we get back to shore JoJo, the first mate, cleaned the fish for us and divided it into packages so everyone went home with a filet. It’s so easy to cook rockfish when it’s this fresh and gorgeous and I have cooked it about every way possible. Our favorite is to steam it in foil with vegetables, herbs, olive oil and a bit of white wine.
Usually we have a feast the evening after but sadly the kids couldn’t make it this year so Steve and I had a date night to celebrate a successful day on the water and our new marble tables. They are awesome, aren’t they?

Rockfish Baked in Foil
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of fresh Rockfish halibut, snapper or other mild white fish.
- 1 Cup Small onion very thinly sliced (about 1 )
- 2 carrots julienned
- 1 medium Zucchini seeded and julienned
- 4 Tablespoons of Olive oil
- 4 Tablespoons of White Wine
- ½ cup fresh herbs: Parsley fennel, basil
- ½ lemon thinly sliced
- salt and pepper as needed
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 450*.
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Pat the fish dry and cut it into even serving pieces, if desired. Set aside. Place the vegetables in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt and pepper then drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, mix well.
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On a baking sheet, spread out a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Make sure the foil can wrap around the fish and vegetables with enough room for the steam to circulate as the package bakes. Spread the vegetables down the center of the foil, lay the fish filets over the vegetables, sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper, lay the lemon slices over the fish then top with ¼ cup of the fresh herbs. Drizzle the white wine and the remaining olive oil over the fish then seal the packet by folding the foil down the center over itself then seal the ends.
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Bake the fish in the oven on the baking sheet for 20 – 40 minutes depending on how thick your filets are. To test the fish, gently open the packet and test the fish with a fork. If it flakes easily then it’s done, if not carefully seal up the packet, return it to the heat and try again in about 5 minutes.
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When the fish is done gently open the packet taking care not to spill the juices or burn yourself, then slide the fish, vegetables and juices onto a serving dish. Sprinkle this with sea salt, pepper and the remaining herbs and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
*Alternatively, this can be cooked on the grill. Heat one side of the grill and place the foil packet over indirect heat ( on the side not over the heat source) and cook until the fish flakes easily.
How exciting for your friend to catch such a big fish on her birthday! I bet she was super excited. Your dinner looks excellent. I have never tried rockfish, but this recipe is making me want to run out to the store and find some rockfish.
Yes, Marsha is cute (and the fish isn’t too bad looking either! -said in my best Groucho Marx imitation-). Sounds like you had a wonderful day and meal. What special memories!