I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU TO.....
EAT A SWEET FISH DISH!
In the minds of most people, fish don’t make the list of breakfast foods. They don’t make the list of dessert foods. They barely make the list of regular savory foods for some people. That doesn’t mean they can’t stand a little sweetness once in a while. There are thousands of ways to incorporate some sweetness into your fish menu. It just takes an open mind and a little creativity. Give it a try next time you eat fish.
Here are a few ideas to help you down the path.
Sweet spice rubs – These go great with more full-flavored fish with firm textures, particularly salmon. You can use the same concept that works with a pork rib or a brisket. You need a reasonably aggressive dose of salt, some sugar, and a variety of interesting spices. If you are a fan of smoke, cook these on a grill with a cedar plank to add a nice depth of flavor. Here is one that we really enjoy: COFFEE RUBBED SALMON
Fruit based salsa – Lot’s of fish tacos call for a mango salsa or a pineapple salsa. These go very well with really clean tasting fish like fresh mahi-mahi or grilled rockfish. They are especially good when supported by a great textural component like a nut-crusted fish. They also work well with a little spice kick like jalapeño or cayenne. Here is a very adventurous version made with cantaloupe, papaya, and pineapple.
Baked fish with sweet glaze or topped with fruit – You can use a sweet chili sauce and some citrus to achieve a fish dish that is a little reminiscent of a Chinese orange chicken. You can also top a nice baked fillet of fish with some Thai inspired flavors like mangoes with coconut milk and Thai basil. These flavors play well with a reasonably aggressive dose of sweetness. I love this salmon with mangoes and coconut milk.
Sweet shrimp dishes – Shrimp are particularly suited to a sweet preparation. In my house, we make a dish that we affectionately call “fruit loop shrimp”. With flavors of lime, brown sugar, and sweet coconut milk, this dish is pretty citrus forward. It has a nice, satisfying stickiness to it, coupled with a bit of heat. This one is anything but boring. You can make this recipe or you can simply cook some shrimp and toss them in a sweet chili sauce or a sweet teriyaki sauce from a bottle. FRUIT LOOP SHRIMP
Sweet sauces – There are tons of these available in the condiments aisle of your local grocery. Pick one and pour it onto your favorite fish and then bake it. Or make a sweet, citrusy hollandaise and top a grilled fish or crab cake. I like a citrus heavy hollandaise which offers the deep richness of pure butter with the crisp freshness of some orange flavor. You can play with this as an addition to any fish you already like, or for a recipe that has worked out all the kinks already, try this crab cake. CRAB CAKE