- 3 1/2-pound whole red snapper, cleaned and scaled
- 8 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 large rosemary sprigs (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup flat-leaf parsley
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Rinse the fish and dry the surface and the cavity thoroughly with paper towels. Put the fish on a baking sheet and cut shallow incisions about 1 inch apart in each side. Rub the fish all over with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Sprinkle both sides with the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Put the rosemary, if using, in the fish cavity. Roast the fish until just done, about 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small glass or stainless-steel bowl, whisk together the 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the wine vinegar, the mustard, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Add the remaining 7 tablespoons oil slowly, whisking. Whisk in the parsley.
- Serve the fish on a platter. Run a knife between the flesh and the bones and lift off the fillet with the skin attached. Turn the fish over and repeat. Pass the parsley vinaigrette.