The Fish for Dinner feature chronicles my education in the ways of fish-cookery. I grew up avoiding fish other than sticks and was well into adulthood before adding the real deal into my diet, usually at a restaurant. The impetus to cook more fish at home comes from joining a sustainable fish program through Hooked on Fish, like a CSA that delivers boxes of farm-fresh produce but with seafood instead. I’ll tell you what we made and how we liked it, plus a few tips and fishin’ tunes too.
The Occasion: Taco Tuesday! Or was it a Thursday? No matter, Taco Day reigns supreme all week long if you do it right.
This time the fish portion from Hooked on Fish was mahi-mahi, a beautiful fish whose name means very strong, a reference not to its flavor, which is mild and somewhat sweet, but to its swimming stamina. HOF provides a recommended recipe for each fish, and this week’s mahi recipe (originally from The Chopping Block) caught my eye. Especially the salsa with grilled corn. Uh, yum.
The Occasion: Taco Tuesday! Or was it a Thursday? No matter, Taco Day reigns supreme all week long if you do it right.
This time the fish portion from Hooked on Fish was mahi-mahi, a beautiful fish whose name means very strong, a reference not to its flavor, which is mild and somewhat sweet, but to its swimming stamina. HOF provides a recommended recipe for each fish, and this week’s mahi recipe (originally from The Chopping Block) caught my eye. Especially the salsa with grilled corn. Uh, yum.
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Keep reading for the recipe, more photos, a little music, and The Verdict.
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Image: Lsuff
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Bonus! As a result of using this recipe I discovered a new ingredient – achiote paste, a spice mix associated with Mexican cooking, particularly from the Oaxaca region. There is no shortage of small, ethnically diverse grocery stores throughout the Chicago neighborhoods, and I had no trouble finding the achiote. But there are recipes online (like this one) if you prefer to make the spice blend yourself.
Click the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.
Click the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.
The Verdict: Soo so good! Both the fish and salsa, together and separately – will definitely make again! The salsa would be great served with steak or chicken or piled on top of a taco salad. We have a cilantro hater in our house and substituted chopped parsley and oregano instead. Still crave-worthy – but if you can tolerate cilantro, go for it. Next time we’ll add cheese (queso fresco or cotija) and lime wedges to the optional toppings.
| Printable Recipe- Grilled Fish Tacos with Sweet Corn and Cilantro Salsa |
Grilled Fish Tacos with Sweet Corn and Cilantro Salsa
Recipe source: The Chopping Block via Hooked on Fish
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Sweet Corn and Cilantro Salsa
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
Recipe source: The Chopping Block via Hooked on Fish
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon achiote paste
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ pounds striped bass or mahi mahi fillets
- Grapeseed oil as needed for grill
- 8 corn tortillas, warmed
- Mexican crema or sour cream
- 1 batch Sweet Corn and Cilantro Salsa – recipe below
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the achiote paste, olive oil, and lime juice in a bowl with a whisk. Mix until smooth. Pour this mixture over the fish fillets, turn them to coat both sides, and allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. (Or you can cook on your outdoor grill.) Brush the grill with grapeseed oil to prevent the fish from sticking.
- Grill the fish, presentation side down, until well-marked. Flip the fish over and continue to cook until it’s just cooked through – about 3-4 minutes per side. The inside of the fish should be opaque when done.
- Transfer the grilled fish to a cutting board.
- To assemble the tacos, flake apart the grilled fish into large pieces. Nestle them into the warmed tortillas. Top with a dollop of crema or sour cream and add a generous spoonful of Sweet Corn and Cilantro Salsa. Top with a drizzle of hot sauce if desired, and serve.
- Optional: Add a sprinkle of cheese to the tacos – maybe queso fresco or cotija. Also offer wedges of fresh lime to squirt a little citrus-y goodness over top.
Sweet Corn and Cilantro Salsa
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ears fresh sweet corn, shucked
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
- ½ red onion, peeled and cut into small dice
- 1 poblano pepper, roasted, peeled and cut into medium dice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or put through a garlic press
- Zest of 1 lime
- Fresh lime juice to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
DIRECTIONS:
- Heat a grill pan over medium heat (or heat an outdoor grill).
- Brush the ears of corn with grapeseed oil and grill, turning occasionally, until the kernels are lightly caramelized. Set aside and when cool enough to handle cut the corn kernels off the cobs and transfer to a bowl.
- Toss the grilled kernels with the onion, roasted poblano pepper, garlic, lime zest, and cilantro (or other herbs). Add 1-2 tablespoons each of lime juice and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss all together, and add more juice, oil, salt, or pepper as needed.
- Chill the salsa, covered, for at least 30 minutes before serving.
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