Mahi Mahi with Mango fish Avocado Salsa

Mahi Mahi is a firm white fish that is perfect for pan searing or grilling.  This tropical mango-pineapple-avocado salsa is scrumptious all by itself, and tastes fabulous with the fish.  Tender, flavorful, and flaky white fish can easily be accomplished! 

We always say this whenever we go on foodie restaurant outings:  You can tell a lot about how good (or not) a restaurant is by how well it cooks up its fish.  Seafood is one of the easiest things to overcook, and once overcooked, it’s game over.  I know this because I always order seafood.

In general, once seafood starts to turn opaque, it’s done.  Voila!  No more heat on that baby, please!  For fish, once it feels mostly firm to the touch and loses its transparency, it should be nicely done. 

This Mahi Mahi with Mango Avocado Salsa is obviously done with mahi mahi fillets, which is a firm and somewhat flaky white fish that lends itself well to pan searing.  Halibut would be another awesome choice for a hearty white fish with great flavor.

We served this Mahi Mahi with Mango Avocado Salsa just recently at our Gourmet Club.  Gourmet Club has been one of our highlights since moving here.  A few couples who have the love of food in common.  We cook, do serious wine pairings, we bake, and we eat.  It’s all good.  Very good.

Recently, we decided to switch things up and start doing themed dinners.  It was high time to branch out and go global with our dishes.  So when it was our turn to host, we chose to go with a tropical theme to welcome in the soon-t0-be-summer (still waiting on the summer.)

INGREDIENTS

• For the Salsa:
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 5 oz grape/cherry tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 10 oz ripe pineapple, diced
• 9 oz mandarin oranges, diced
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 TB pure honey
• 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt
• 1 semi firm avocado, chopped and tossed with sprinkles of lime juice
• For the Fish:
• 4 Mahi Mahi fillets (6 oz each, about 1 inch thick)
• Oil for pan frying
• Coarse Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked black pepper

DESCRIPTION

This Mahi Mahi with Mango Avocado Salsa is absolutely mouthwatering! Perfect for spring and summer, but it works anytime of year, since it is pan seared! The salsa is truly something special. This recipe also works well with halibut!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the Salsa: In a bowl, combine all salsa ingredients except for avocado. Cover well and keep chilled in fridge.
2. For the fish: Sprinkle fillets liberally with kosher salt and pepper on both sides. Heat about 5 TB oil in large frying pan at medium-high until very hot.
3. Carefully set one or two fillets (don’t overcrowd) in hot oil and sear for 2 minutes – lift pan by the handle frequently and shake the pan back and forth briskly, so the fish is being moved around. You don’t want the fish to sit in the same spot the entire time and get stuck on the pan.
4. Carefully flip fish over. Lower heat to medium. Cook 3-4 minutes (or just until fish loses transparency and becomes fully opaque, mostly firm to the touch) still lifting and shaking pan here and there. Immediately remove fish from pan, and repeat for other fillets.
5. Plate the cooked fish and serve alongside prepared salsa.
6. *Note: Your actual cook time will vary depending on fish fillet thickness. If thicker than 1 inch, you may cook a bit longer. If thinner than 1 inch, lessen the cook time. The fish is done at at 125F.