Friday, March 11, 2011

A Winter Visit to Hawaii (without the airfare)

A chilly night last night prompted me to think about a warmer, more tropical climate (at least while preparing a menu for the evening). I headed to the fish purveyor and found some very fresh Mahi Mahi on display. Team that up with a crust of macadamia nuts and top it with a fresh mango sauce and you’re sure to feel you’ve arrived in Hawaii (ok, maybe not as fun but it sure was yummy).

Macadamia-Crusted Mahi Mahi with Mango Sauce

1 cup macadamia nuts

1 cup panko

½ cup flour

1 large egg

4 (6 oz.) mahi mahi fillets

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup olive oil, divided

Mango Sauce (recipe follows)

¼ cup sliced green onions

Basmati Rice, cooked according to package directions

Pulse nuts in a food processor until finely ground. Add panko, and pulse until combined. Place mixture in a shallow bowl.

Place flour in a shallow dish. Whisk egg in medium bowl. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Dredge fish in flour, shake off excess, and dip in egg. Dredge fish in nut mixture, coating completely.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 2 fillets; cook 3 min. on each side or until golden. (If nuts brown too quickly, reduce heat.) Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oiland fish. Serve fish fillets on bed of basmati rice on 4 serving plates. Top with Mango Sauce, and sprinkle with green onions.

Mango Sauce

½ cup sherry

1 large shallot, minced

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped

¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

2 Tbl. rice wine vinegar

¼ cup butter, cut into pieces

½ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. white pepper

Combine sherry and shallot in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat about 4 min or til reduced to 2 tablespoons.

Meanwhile, combine mangoes, orange juice, and vinegar in a blender. Process until smooth. Add pureed mango mixture to sherry reduction, and reduce heat to medium. Cook 3-5 min. or til mxture is slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter, 1 piece at a time, until thoroughly blended. Stir in salt and pepper. Makes about 1 ¼ cups.


The crust was absolutely fabulous and the mango sauce added just the right amount of tropic-essence (is that a word?). The meal conjured up hula dancers in grass skirts, tiki torches on the beach, exotic drinks with little umbrellas…and all without the price tag of airfares. Enjoy.

--The Mother

Friday, March 4, 2011

Just One Pan

I feel like my life has turned into a vicious cycle of constantly loading and unloading the dishwasher. I'm glad I have one, don't get me wrong, but I spend so much time rinsing, loading, washing, unloading....and repeating again. I'm amazed at how many dishes, bowls, etc I go through for just one meal. I love any recipe where I can throw everything into one pan without sacrificing taste or quality, because then its one less rinse cycle for me.

Picked up some frozen cod from Trader Joe's (I know, fresh is always better...but this working girl can't be picky), and decided to make a mediterranean veggie broth with fish and some crusty bread. You pretty much throw the fish & goodies into one pan, enjoy a glass of wine, and watch it cook. How great is that? I found a recipe in Sunset magazine with the headline..."One Pan Wonders", so I figured that was something I had to try.

Greek-Style Halibut (or whatever white fish you like)
2 tbsp. olive oil
Halibut fillets (about 4oz each)
Kosher salt
Pepper
1 Fennel bulb
2 Garlic cloves
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 oz) chickpeas, drained & rinsed
2 tbsp fresh oregano

Heat 1 tbsp oil in pan over med-high heat. Rub halibut w/ salt and pepper and lightly brown fish in pan on one side for 3-4 minutes. Transfer to plate.

Add remaining oil to pan and add fennel. Cook until light golden and tender (about 8 mins), then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, 1/2 cup water, chickpeas, S&P, and oregano. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer & lay halibut, brown side up, in sauce and simmer until fish is cooked through (5-10 minutes). Source: Sunset Magazine

Not only was it an easy clean up, but an easy meal for a weeknight. And the hubby was overly impressed that I could whip up such a fancy dish after working all day. I'll certainly take credit for the tasty meal, but little did he know it was just one pan!


-- the daughter