Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi

Posted by CB / 8 comments » / Recipes, seafood

I want to try to eat more fish. I’m more of a beef eater and Hubs is the chicken lover. Typical breast man. But I heard that fish is better for me than steak. Isn’t that always how it works? The stuff I like is never what I should be eating. Le sigh…

In the latest studies of fish-related health benefits, published Monday in the Archives of Ophthalmology, researchers found that eating fish rich in omega-3s reduced the risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness. Omega-3s also show promise for reducing the risk of dementia, arthritis, asthma and kidney disease, the heart association reports.” (Source)

Blindness? YIKES! Seeing as my eyesight is terrible, (I started wearing glasses when I was 7 years old!), I figure I better get some more fish in my diet. It probably can’t hurt b/c my Lasik can only do so much. Actually I can already tell a difference in my right eye after 5 years. It’s not 20/20 anymore. It’s probably more like 20/40. Come on fish, work your magic!

I’m not sure if I ever mentioned that Hubs has arthritis. It’s not something he really likes to share with ppl. I think he doesn’t want ppl to define him by a chronic disease. But it’s not something he’s ashamed of either. He just takes his weekly injections and rolls with the punches. It probably wouldn’t hurt him to eat more fish too.

My Hubs doesn’t have anything against fish. He likes seafood. Although it does pain me that he doesn’t LOVE shrimp as much as I do. And he taunts me when he can eat lobster and I can’t! (I’m allergic) But if he could only eat one protein for the rest of his life it would be chicken. Only the white meat. So I decided to give him the choice with how I cooked this fish dinner. It was either between (1) mahi mahi tacos w avocado cream (I was hoping he’d pick this one) or (2) macadamia crusted mahi mahi. Obviously he went with option number 2.

Note to self: Don’t let Hubs choose if you already know what you want.

You’ll have to forgive me. Newb wife mistake. Won’t happen again.

Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi

Recipe adapted from La Bella Vita

Makes 4 servings
Calories per serving=273*

Ingredients:

4 six-ounce mahi mahi fresh fish fillets (I used 2-6oz mahi mahi fillets)
2 eggs, well beaten (I used 1 egg)
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup crushed macadamia nuts
1/2 tsp grated fresh orange zest (or lemon) (I used blood orange zest)
1/2 tsp grated fresh lime zest
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chopped fresh chives (I substituted with 1 green onion stalk, chopped)
1 tsp chopped fresh basil (I used about 3 tsp)
pinch of salt and pepper
2 tbsp butter for pan frying (I used olive oil)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare a baking pan lined with foil. Set aside.

In a large dish, stir to combine macadamia nuts, panko, orange and lime zest, chives, basil, salt and pepper for dipping fish. Place the eggs in a separate dish for dipping the fish.

Dip ONE SIDE of each mahi mahi fillets in the eggs. Dip that same side into the macadamia-panko mixture. Do not bread the rest of the fish fillet. In a buttered skillet on the stove, sear the fillets macadamia-panko side down for 3 minutes. (I seared mine for about <2 mins b/c it started to burn.) Turn the fillets over and sear for another 2 minutes on the other side.

Bake fillets in the oven for about 10 minutes or until fish is white (or your desired doneness).

I served with brown rice and asparagus.

ENJOY!

* Calories do not include my changes/substitutions

Husband rating: A
I was kinda surprised at how much he really liked this fish. He’s a simple man so I wasn’t sure if he’d take to all the spices and herbs. But he asked me for seconds and since I halved the recipe there were no seconds. I’ve never seen him look so sad. Poor Hubs. I abuse him so.

Wifey rating: A-
I liked this fish but it needed a little something else. The original recipe came with a papaya salsa so maybe I’ll have to make both next time. This time I added a little balsamic sauce for a kick.

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