Cedar-Planked Monkfish with Fire-Roasted and Puttanesca Relish

Succulent monkfish fillets wrapped in prosciutto and cooked on cedar plank, topped with a flavorful Mediterranean-style relish made from grilled vegetables, Kalamata olives, anchovies, and capers. This elegant dish combines smoky cedar flavors with classic puttanesca elements.

4 servings
24 hr 58 min

Ingredients

  • 1 piece untreated (about 12x10x1-inch) red cedar plank
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 whole plum tomatoes
  • 1 whole sweet onion
  • 1 whole red bell pepper
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives
  • 3 fillets anchovy fillets
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 4 fillets monkfish fillets
  • 8 slices prosciutto

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Fill roasting pan with water. Add cedar plank; weigh down with can or small pot to keep submerged and soak 1 day.

    1440 min

  2. 2.

    Prepare barbecue (high heat). Brush grill rack with 1 tablespoon oil. Arrange tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Grill vegetables until lightly charred and blistered, turning occasionally with tongs, about 4 minutes for tomatoes and 8 minutes for onion and pepper. Return vegetables to same sheet and cool slightly.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Peel tomato halves; peel pepper halves. Chop all vegetables coarsely and place in medium bowl. Add olives, anchovies, garlic, basil, capers, vinegar, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Toss to blend. Season relish to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

    15 min

  4. 4.

    Sprinkle fillets with salt and pepper. Wrap 2 prosciutto slices around each fillet, leaving top and bottom exposed. Secure prosciutto with toothpicks. Press each fillet slightly to flatten top.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Drain cedar plank. Place fillets on plank. Spoon 1/4 cup relish atop each fillet and press to adhere. Place plank on grill; cover barbecue. Cook fish until just opaque in center and thermometer inserted into center registers 120°F, checking occasionally and spraying plank with water if beginning to burn, about 18 minutes. Transfer fish to plates. Serve, passing remaining relish.

    18 min