Description
Tropical coconut lime fish sparkles with zesty Caribbean-inspired flavors, delivering a refreshing coastal experience. Crisp avocado salsa and delicate fish combine seamlessly, letting you savor summer’s most delightful seafood escape.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 fish fillets (6 ounces/170 grams each) (tilapia, cod, or snapper)
Main Liquid and Seasoning:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters/8 fluid ounces) coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Aromatics and Seasoning:
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Avocado Salsa:
- 1 large avocado, diced
- ½ cup (75 grams/2.6 ounces) cherry tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish (Optional):
- Lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Immerse fish fillets in a vibrant coconut-lime bath, blending tropical coconut milk, zesty lime essence, aromatic garlic, warm cumin, smoky paprika, and a whisper of seasoning. Ensure complete coating and let the flavors meld in the refrigerator for a transformative 30-45 minutes.
- Craft a luscious salsa by gently folding diced creamy avocado, burst-in-your-mouth cherry tomatoes, piquant red onion, and verdant cilantro. Splash with tangy lime juice and delicately season, then chill to allow flavors to harmonize.
- Ignite a skillet with olive oil, bringing it to a sizzling medium-high temperature. Extract fish from its marinade, allowing excess to cascade back into the bowl.
- Carefully place fish into the heated pan, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown canvas with crisp edges. Cook until fish flakes effortlessly, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, revealing its succulent interior.
- Artfully arrange fish on serving plates, crowning each fillet with a generous medallion of the vibrant avocado salsa. Embellish with bright lime wedges and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, accompanied by your preferred side of fluffy rice, nutty quinoa, or crisp green salad.
Notes
- Enhance marinade flavor by grating fresh garlic instead of mincing, releasing more intense aromatics that deeply penetrate the fish.
- Select firm white fish like halibut, mahi-mahi, or cod to maintain structural integrity during high-heat cooking and absorb coconut-lime marinade effectively.
- Prevent avocado salsa from browning by adding lime juice immediately after chopping, which naturally slows oxidation and maintains vibrant green color.
- Ensure fish doesn’t stick by patting fillets completely dry before cooking, creating a perfect golden-brown crust and preventing moisture-related breaking during searing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg