Swordfish with Mango Relish, Lime Emulsion

Swordfish with Mango Relish, Lime Emulsion

Grilled Wild Massachusetts Swordfish
Mango Relish and Lime Emulsion

Thick-cut swordfish, wild-caught off the coast of Massachusetts, is grilled until just charred, tender, and juicy. It’s topped with a vibrant mango relish—diced ripe mango, jalapeño, and red onion—adding tropical sweetness, lively heat, and an oniony bite. A silky lime olive oil emulsion is poured over the top, tying everything together with bright acidity and a citrusy sheen. It’s then finished with herby cilantro.

Swordfish with Mango Relish and Lime Emulsion Recipe

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Spicy Grilled Swordfish with Tobiko

Spicy Grilled Swordfish with Tobiko

Spicy Grilled Swordfish with Tobiko
Chili Oil, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Lemon
Whole Grilled Jalapeño

Grilled swordfish, with its firm, meaty texture and clean, mildly sweet flavor, holds up beautifully to bold sauces. The char adds depth and a hint of smokiness, creating a sturdy base for layers of seasoning and contrast. Paired with a chili oil–soy sauce brightened by fresh lemon juice, the fish takes on a new dimension—rich with umami, balanced by heat, and sharpened by citrus.

The sauce blends savory soy, warming chili oil, bright lemon, and a touch of toasty sesame oil. The citrus cuts through the richness, adding lift and clarity while enhancing the natural flavor of the fish.

Tobiko (flying fish roe) makes a striking final addition. Scattered over the sauced fish, the roe brings vivid red-orange color and delicate texture—tiny cool pearls that pop against the heat and meatiness of the swordfish. Its clean brininess mirrors the ocean, while its crunch offers a satisfying contrast to the fish’s tenderness.

Thinly sliced cucumber and radish add a crisp, refreshing contrast to the meaty fish, grilled jalapeño, and spicy citrus-soy drizzle. The result is a layered, balanced dish—smoky, spicy, citrusy, savory, and sea-bright—with each component enhancing the next while allowing the swordfish to shine.

Spicy Grilled Swordfish with Tobiko Recipe

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Grilled Albacore, Sesame Ponzu

Grilled Albacore, Sesame Ponzu

Grilled Albacore with Sesame Ponzu
Cucumber, Fresh Herbs, Serrano Chile

Albacore offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor that’s much more delicate than other tunas. Grilling enhances its natural savoriness while letting its clean taste shine. The loin is firm yet tender, and just 60 seconds per side is enough to create a beautifully seared crust while leaving the center silky and moist.

A simple four-ingredient sesame ponzu brings umami, citrus, and depth. And even when grilled for only two minutes, the fish still picks up a bold smokiness that adds real character.

Cilantro, mint, and chives keep it vibrant and fresh, serrano chile brings the heat, while crisp cucumber adds texture and a refreshing coolness.

Grilled Albacore Recipe

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Simple Summer Swordfish

Simple Summer Swordfish

Grilled Swordfish
Creamy Tomato Cucumber Salad

How about a simple dinner that is summery, sustainable, super-easy, and super-tasty? Grilled swordfish with a creamy tomato cucumber salad fits the bill.

Grilled Swordfish

Certified sustainable wild-caught swordfish steaks from Whole Foods are excellent. The swordfish is caught in the pristine waters off the eastern shore of Nova Scotia where they work with fourth generation fishermen at a Marine Stewardship Council Certified Fishery. The fish are only caught during peak season, September through November, processed into 5 to 6 oz. portions, then frozen individually.

Place the frozen fish fillets in their packaging in an air-tight baggie. Submerge the baggie in cold water for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the fish from packaging. Rinse with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

Let fish come close to room temperature. Coat with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper. Cook on the grill over medium-high heat for approximately 3 minutes per side.  The packaging says to cook to an internal temperature of 145°F, but many chefs recommend 135°F. Just be sure not to overcook the swordfish.

Creamy Tomato Cucumber Salad

The store-bought buttermilk ranch dressing from Trader Joe’s is perfectly creamy, dilly, and garlicky. No need to make the dressing from scratch when composing this easy-going summer meal!

  • cherry tomatoes – halved
  • persian cucumbers  – quartered lengthwise, then sliced bite-sized
  • red onion – thinly sliced
  • pitted kalamata olives – halved lengthwise
  • fresh dill, chopped
  • buttermilk ranch dressing
  • sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Combine equal amounts of tomatoes and cucumber in a mixing bowl. Add a lesser amount of onion and olives. Sprinkle with dill. Dress liberally with buttermilk ranch dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Plate

Spoon tomato cucumber salad into shallow bowls. Top with a grilled swordfish fillet and garnish with a sprig of dill.

As Ina would say, “How easy is that?”

Update

Simple Summer Sea Bass here

bison & onion burger ~ grill basket method

bison burger
grilled bison & onion burger
arugula & tomato
on toasted sour dough with thai chili mayo

Posting “last night’s dinner” on Taste With The Eyes? A simple burger with onions and the ubiquitous chili mayonnaise? Well, actually, yes. But for a reason. I want to share my method. Here in Southern California we’re grilling all year round. And I love this grill basket.

Burgers and onions fit in one layer. Brush lightly with olive oil, pop it on a hot grill, flip once after 5 minutes. The burgers are juicy and the onions perfectly charred, while the rings remain concentrical.

A whole fish can be stuffed with lemon and herbs, rubbed with olive oil then grilled over high heat. The edible skin is crisp and charred contrasting the melt-in-the-mouth flesh. Using a grill basket makes easy work of flipping the fish, and helps to keep the nicely charred skin intact for presentation.

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