Super
Grouper
Jackie Carlin
14
G R O W I N G B O L D E R / S E P T E M B E R D I G I TA L D I G E S T 2 1
Euphoria Fish House is the signature restaurant at the new Margaritaville Resort Orlando. The restaurant takes its name from Jimmy Buffett’s beloved yacht and features a celebration of the best seafood and more Florida has to offer. Head chef Joseph McFadden, a native of Ireland, brings his passion for fish and local offerings to the menu, adding a special flair to the Sunshine State’s celebrated seafood scene.
Euphoria Fish House is open to guests and visitors alike. Learn more at margaritavilleresortorlando.com.
Photography by Jacob Langston / Illustration: axel2001 via Getty Images
Florida’s waters are teeming with seafood. From Key West pink shrimp to the state's beloved blue and stone crabs, the state is famous for its fresh-caught, delicious seafood. Perhaps no fish is more beloved, though, than grouper. Did you know Florida harvests more than 85 percent of the nation’s grouper, with more than 75 percent of that haul coming from Pinellas County on Florida’s west coast? Most restaurants around the Sunshine State claim to feature the state’s best grouper sandwich, but there are so many other ways to enjoy this mild-tasting yet versatile fish. At the Euphoria Fish House at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Chef Joseph McFadden enjoys finding new ways to put his on flair on Florida’s abundant fresh catches. And his recipe for grouper is no exception. When you’re picking out fish for your own home feast, look for fresh fillets that are firm, translucent-looking with no discoloration, advises the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This recipe calls for a pan sear of the grouper, but it also lends itself well to grilling, baking, poaching and steaming. It does cook quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. The fish is done when the flesh become opaque and can be flaked easily with a fork. In this recipe, Chef McFadden places the grouper fillets atop a bed of crab rice and drizzles the dish with soy glaze. It’s an easy-to-make meal, sure to impress your guests. True Florida living!
