Florida Mullet Wrapped in Pancetta

Recipe courtesy of Florida Agriculture Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture.

Recipe Ingredients:

4 (6-ounce) mullet fillets
16 thin slices of pancetta ham (or 12 slices bacon)
Olive oil for cooking
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 lemon, quartered for garnish
4 sprigs fresh thyme for garnish

Cooking Directions:

1. Lightly season the mullet fillets with salt and pepper. Preheat a medium-sized, oven-proof sauté pan over medium heat. Wrap each mullet fillet with the pancetta or bacon (use toothpicks to keep the pancetta in place as needed).
2. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the preheated sauté pan. Carefully place all 4 of the wrapped mullet fillets in the sauté pan. Cook the fillets for 3 to 5 minutes on one side or until the pancetta is crispy and golden brown.
4. Carefully flip each fillet over in the pan and place the whole pan on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Cook the fillets in the oven for 7 to 10 minutes until the fish is completely cooked.
5. To serve, remove any toothpicks from the fish and garnish with lemon and thyme.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of Florida Agriculture Bureau of Seafood and Aquaculture.