| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 10 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 290 | 7g | 1g | 24g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 12g | 3g | 35g | 0.47g |
Why I Love Mexican Fish Skewers with Ancho Citrus Marinade
One of my most passionately crafted recipes to date is the Mexican delight known as Fish Skewers with Ancho Citrus Marinade. I must confess my unwavering adoration for this unique recipe. It’s a surprising deviation from my traditional Midwestern comfort food palette, yet it speaks to my philosophy of farm-to-table freshness in a new, tantalizing language.
Touring the Bold Landscape of Mexican Cuisine
This dish’s harmony of flavors draws from the rich, diverse culinary heritage of Mexico – a cuisine I admire uniquely. Ancho peppers, the sweetest of all dried chilies, bring a mild, fruity heat, contrasting delightfully with the zesty citrus juices. It weaves a gastronomic tale of sunbaked Mexican landscapes, enlivened by citrus groves and electrified with the spark of chili peppers. A prominent inspiration for exploring this culinary landscape was none other than Diana Kennedy, who’s renowned for her pivotal work in preserving traditional Mexican cuisines.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Fish Skewers with Ancho Citrus Marinade infuses a relatively neutral canvas of white fish with a glorious marinade exploding with flavors that blend and balance each other out. The brightness of lime and orange juice, the smoky cumin, the humble sweetness of honey, and the quiet bang of fresh garlic and cilantro all come together to form a fireworks display in your mouth. A multitude of bell peppers adds a crunchy texture and visually appealing pop of color, enhancing the overall eating experience.
Served hot off the grill, these succulent skewers echo the lively street food culture of Mexican coastal towns. You’ll find them reminiscent of traditional ‘Pescado a la Talla‘, a marinated, grilled fish recipe popular in the beach neighborhoods.
Complementary Dishes
Our Fish Skewers would shine as the star on a warm summer evening, sizzling off the grill and served alongside a simple, refreshing tomato and avocado salad. They also pair beautifully with a vibrant Mexican coleslaw or a hearty, smoky black bean soup. And for an authentic and complete Mexican meal, why not accompany them with some fluffy homemade Mexican rice and
refried beans?
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 pounds of firm white fish fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice
- 3 ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 3 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 yellow bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 green bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 12 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes before use
Method
Step One
Begin by cutting your firm white fish fillets into 1-inch pieces. Also prepare your bell peppers by seeding them and cutting them into similar 1-inch pieces. Set these aside.
Step Two
Next, take your ancho chilies, stem and seed them properly. Then, in a blender, combine the prepared chilies, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, white vinegar, honey, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, kosher salt, ground cumin, and olive oil. Blend this mixture until it becomes smooth.
Step Three
Now, take the fish pieces and the marinade. Place the fish in a shallow bowl and pour the marinade over it. Ensure the fish is well-coated with the marinade. Cover this bowl and place it in the refrigerator. Let the fish marinate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight if time allows.
Step Four
When ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium heat. Meanwhile, remove the fish from the marinade and begin threading it onto the pre-soaked wooden skewers, alternating with pieces of the cut bell peppers. Continue this process until all the fish and peppers are used.
Step Five
Finally, place the prepared skewers onto the heated grill. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side or until the fish is done to your liking. Once cooked, remove from the grill and serve your Fish Skewers with Ancho Citrus Marinade immediately. Enjoy your meal!
