n the 10x10-foot slab of concrete that serves as the back patio of my garden-level apartment sits a compact Smokey Joe series Weber grill. There, under the climbing hydrangea and ivy that creep up our neighbor's wall, my wife and I bask in the fresh air, realizing that we're wildly fortunate to have even the smallest semblance of outdoor space in New York City.
1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 3/4 cup)
Kosher salt
1/2 large red onion (4 1/2 ounces; 130g), diced (about 1 cup)
1/2 green bell pepper (4 1/2 ounces; 130g), stemmed, seeded, and diced (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 red bell pepper (4 1/2 ounces; 130g), stemmed, seeded, and diced (about 3/4 cup)
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems
2 tablespoons (30ml) white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (15ml), plus more for oiling fish
Freshly ground black pepper
2 (1- to 1 1/2-pound; 450 to 680g) whole fish, such as branzini, mackerel, or trout, scaled and gutted
Season tomatoes with 1 teaspoon salt and toss to combine. Transfer to a fine-mesh strainer or colander set in a bowl and allow to drain for 20 to 30 minutes. Discard liquid.
In a medium bowl, stir together tomatoes, red onion, green pepper, red pepper, cilantro, parsley, vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Let molho stand at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Return to room temperature before serving.
About 30 minutes before grilling, remove fish from refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set half the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate.
Thoroughly pat fish dry with paper towels. Season inside and out with salt and pepper. Rub fish all over with olive oil.
Set fish over hot side of grill and cook until bottom sides are browned, about 5 minutes. Using a carving fork (the tines of which can slide down between the grill grate) or a thin metal spatula, carefully attempt to lift fish from below; if it resists, allow to cook for 1 more minute and try again. When fish lifts easily from grill, turn onto other side and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 135°F (57°C), about 5 minutes longer; if skin begins to char before fish is cooked through, transfer fish to cooler side of grill to finish cooking. Let rest 5 minutes.
Serve fish, spooning molho on top. (If you want to serve the fish off the bone, follow our article and video on carving a whole cooked fish.)
