The Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa is a delightful mix of zesty, tangy and creamy flavors. The buttery mahi mahi is perfectly balanced with the tanginess of lime and the creaminess of avocado salsa. It's a light, fresh, and incredibly delicious dish that's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fancy dinner party.
Mahi mahi is a versatile white fish that's typically found in warmer waters, you can find it in most supermarkets but if it's not available, you can substitute it with other white fish like cod or halibut. Fresh cilantro leaves are a common herb in Mexican cooking and is widely available in most supermarkets.
Ingredients for Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa
Olive oil: Olive oil is used for sautéing the mahi mahi fillets. It adds a light, fruity flavor that complements the fish well.
Mahi mahi fillets: Mahi mahi is a flaky white fish that absorbs flavors well, making it perfect for the brown butter lime sauce.
Butter: Butter is browned to create a rich, nutty flavor for the sauce.
Lime juice: Lime juice adds a tangy freshness to the dish, cutting through the richness of the butter.
Honey: Honey adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the tang of the lime juice.
Garlic: Garlic infuses the dish with its distinct, robust flavor.
Avocado: Avocado adds a creamy, buttery texture to the salsa, complementing the tang of the lime and the richness of the fish.
Roma tomato: Roma tomatoes are firmer and less watery than other tomatoes, making them perfect for salsa.
Red onion: Red onions add a slight bite and crunch to the salsa.
Corn: Corn adds a hint of sweetness and crunch to the salsa.
Cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to the salsa, complementing the lime juice.
One reader, Derwin Harkins says:
This brown butter lime mahi mahi with avocado salsa recipe is a game-changer! The combination of flavors is simply divine. The buttery mahi mahi pairs perfectly with the zesty lime and creamy avocado salsa. It's a refreshing and delightful dish that's sure to impress. Highly recommend trying it out!
Key Techniques for Preparing Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi
How to brown butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Swirl the butter occasionally until it turns a light brown color and becomes fragrant. Remove from heat and whisk in the garlic, honey, salt, and pepper to create the brown butter lime sauce.
How to make avocado salsa: In a small mixing bowl, combine diced avocado, roma tomato, red onion, corn, chopped cilantro, a dash of salt, and lime juice. Mix well to create the avocado salsa.
How to cook mahi mahi: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Season the mahi mahi fillets with salt and pepper, then cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
How to serve: Place the cooked mahi mahi on a serving platter and top with the brown butter lime sauce and avocado salsa.
How To Make Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa
Lime mahi mahi filets are cooked in a skillet with a rich brown butter sauce and topped with fresh avocado salsa to make one tasty fish dish.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1tbspolive oil
- 4Mahi fish fillets
- salt and pepper
For Brown Butter Lime Sauce:
- 6tbspbutter
- 3tbspfresh lime juice
- 1tsphoney
- 1clovegarlic,minced
- ½tspsalt
- ½tsppepper
For Avocado Salsa:
- 1avocado,chopped
- 1roma tomato,chopped
- ½small red onion,chopped
- ½cupcorn
- 2lime juice
- 2tbspcilantro,finely chopped
- ⅛tspdash of salt
Instructions
-
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Salt and paper the mahi mahi and cook for 4 to 5 minutes each side until golden.
-
Heat the butter into a small saucepan . Swirl the butter occasionally until it has turned a light brown color and is fragrant. Remove from heat and whisk the garlic, honey, salt and pepper into the sauce.
-
Add the fish back to the skillet.
-
Mix the avocado, Roma tomato, red onion, chopped cilantro, salt and juice from the limes in a small mixing bowl. Top the mahi mahi with the avocado salsa.
Nutrition
- Calories: 414.13kcal
- Fat: 30.34g
- Saturated Fat: 13.24g
- Trans Fat: 0.70g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12.54g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.46g
- Carbohydrates: 14.41g
- Fiber: 4.53g
- Sugar: 4.29g
- Protein: 25.63g
- Cholesterol: 103.79mg
- Sodium: 630.30mg
- Calcium: 38.75mg
- Potassium: 759.16mg
- Iron: 1.28mg
- Vitamin A: 160.02µg
- Vitamin C: 19.47mg
Expert Tip for Perfecting the Brown Butter Lime Sauce
When browning the butter, keep a close eye on it as it can quickly go from a nutty, golden brown to burnt. The color change happens fast, so as soon as you see it turning brown, remove it from the heat. This will ensure your brown butter lime sauce has a rich, caramelized flavor without any bitterness.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Mahi Mahi Recipe
Prep ahead: Marinate the mahi mahi and prepare the avocado salsa in advance to save time on the day of cooking.
One-pan cooking: Use the same skillet for cooking the mahi mahi and preparing the brown butter lime sauce to minimize clean-up.
Multitask: While the fish is cooking, prepare the brown butter lime sauce and avocado salsa simultaneously to streamline the cooking process.
Organized workspace: Keep all ingredients and cooking tools within reach to avoid unnecessary movement during the cooking process.
Efficient chopping: Practice efficient knife skills to speed up the preparation of the avocado salsa and other ingredients.
Substitute Ingredients For Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in this recipe.
mahi fish fillets - Substitute with halibut fillets: Halibut has a firm texture and mild flavor similar to mahi mahi, making it a great alternative for this recipe.
butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a nutty flavor and high smoke point, similar to brown butter, making it a good substitute for the brown butter lime sauce.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice can be used as a substitute for lime juice, providing a similar level of acidity and citrus flavor to the dish.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can replace honey in the brown butter lime sauce, adding a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic, adding a different dimension to the brown butter lime sauce.
avocado - Substitute with mango: Mango can be used as a tropical alternative to avocado in the salsa, adding a sweet and tangy flavor to complement the fish.
roma tomato - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can be used as a substitute for Roma tomatoes, providing a similar texture and flavor to the avocado salsa.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can be used in place of red onion, offering a milder and slightly sweeter flavor to the avocado salsa.
corn - Substitute with black beans: Black beans can add a hearty and protein-rich element to the salsa, replacing the sweetness and crunch of corn.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can be used as an alternative to cilantro, providing a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the avocado salsa.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in place of regular salt, providing a similar level of salinity and enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Plating Ideas for a Stunning Presentation
Elevate the plating: When presenting the brown butter lime mahi mahi with avocado salsa, focus on creating a visually stunning plate. Use edible flowers and microgreens to add a pop of color and elegance to the dish.
Incorporate height: Build the dish with varying heights to add dimension. Consider using a small ring mold to stack the avocado salsa on top of the mahi mahi, creating a beautiful and appetizing presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the vibrant colors of the dish to shine. This will create a visually appealing and balanced presentation that showcases the mahi mahi and avocado salsa.
Garnish with precision: Pay attention to the finer details by garnishing the dish with a drizzle of the brown butter lime sauce in an artful manner. Use a squeeze bottle to create delicate patterns, adding a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
Plate with symmetry: Aim for symmetrical plating to create a sense of harmony on the plate. Arrange the mahi mahi and avocado salsa thoughtfully, ensuring that each component complements the others in both flavor and visual appeal.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa
- Chef's knife: A versatile tool used for slicing, dicing, and chopping ingredients with precision.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Skillet: Used for cooking the mahi mahi fillets to a golden brown.
- Small saucepan: Ideal for preparing the brown butter lime sauce.
- Whisk: Essential for mixing and emulsifying the brown butter lime sauce.
- Mixing bowl: Used for combining the ingredients for the avocado salsa.
- Spatula: Helps in flipping and transferring the mahi mahi fillets.
- Citrus juicer: Useful for extracting fresh lime juice for the brown butter lime sauce and the avocado salsa.
Storage and Freezing Guidelines for Mahi Mahi and Avocado Salsa
- Let the mahi mahi cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3-4 days.
- Store the brown butter lime sauce separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 1 week.
- The avocado salsa is best served fresh, but you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Keep in mind that the avocado may start to brown slightly, but it will still be safe to eat.
- To freeze the mahi mahi, wrap each fillet tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the bag with the date and contents, and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To freeze the brown butter lime sauce, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the bag with the date and contents, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To use, simply thaw the desired number of cubes in the refrigerator overnight.
- It is not recommended to freeze the avocado salsa as the texture and flavor will be compromised. It is best to make it fresh when needed.
- To reheat the frozen mahi mahi, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be careful not to overcook it as it can become dry and tough.
- To reheat the frozen brown butter lime sauce, place the desired number of cubes in a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and heated through.
How To Reheat Leftover Mahi Mahi and Avocado Salsa
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover mahi mahi fillets in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is heated through. This method helps to retain the moisture in the fish and prevent it from drying out.
For a quicker option, you can use the microwave. Place the mahi mahi fillets on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until the fish is heated through. Be careful not to overheat the fish, as it can quickly become dry and rubbery.
If you have a stovetop available, you can reheat the mahi mahi in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan and place the fillets in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish is heated through.
To reheat the brown butter lime sauce, place it in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir the sauce occasionally until it is heated through. If the sauce appears too thick, you can add a small amount of water or chicken broth to thin it out.
For the avocado salsa, it is best to make a fresh batch. However, if you have leftover salsa, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, give the salsa a quick stir and taste for seasoning, adjusting with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed.
Interesting Trivia About Mahi Mahi and Avocado
Mahi Mahi is a versatile fish that is a great source of lean protein and is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is a popular choice for grilling and pairs well with a variety of flavors, making it a favorite for many seafood lovers.
Is Making Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi at Home Cost-Effective?
This brown butter lime mahi mahi with avocado salsa recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The use of mahi mahi and avocado provides a healthy and nutritious option. However, the cost of the ingredients, particularly the mahi mahi, may be higher compared to other fish options. The addition of butter and honey could also contribute to the overall cost. Considering the quality of ingredients and the potential health benefits, this recipe earns a 7/10 rating. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $35-$40, making it a moderately cost-effective choice.
Is This Mahi Mahi Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
The brown butter lime mahi mahi with avocado salsa recipe is a relatively healthy dish with a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and vegetables. Here's a breakdown of the recipe's healthiness:
Healthy aspects:
- Mahi mahi is a lean source of protein and contains essential omega-3 fatty acids
- Avocado provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber
- Tomato, onion, and cilantro offer vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Lime juice adds vitamin C and helps balance flavors
Less healthy aspects:
- The recipe uses a significant amount of butter, which is high in saturated fat
- Added salt and honey contribute to the dish's sodium and sugar content
While the overall recipe is not unhealthy, there are some ways to make it even more nutritious:
- Reduce the amount of butter used in the brown butter lime sauce, or replace some of it with olive oil
- Use a salt substitute or reduce the amount of added salt to lower the sodium content
- Increase the proportion of vegetables in the avocado salsa by adding more tomato, onion, or other colorful veggies like bell peppers
- Serve the mahi mahi with a side of leafy greens or a whole grain like quinoa to boost the fiber and nutrient content of the meal
- Grill the mahi mahi instead of cooking it in a skillet to reduce the amount of added oil needed
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Mahi Mahi Dish
The combination of brown butter lime sauce and avocado salsa elevates the mahi mahi to a new level of flavor. The brown butter adds a nutty richness, while the lime and honey provide a bright and tangy contrast. The avocado salsa brings a refreshing and creamy element, complemented by the sweetness of the corn and the freshness of the tomatoes and cilantro. Overall, this recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a delightful and impressive dish for any occasion.
Enhance Your Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Perfect Appetizers and Desserts to Complement Mahi Mahi
Why trust this Brown Butter Lime Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a delightful dining experience with mahi fish cooked to perfection, complemented by a tantalizing brown butter lime sauce and a refreshing avocado salsa. The use of fresh lime juice and honey in the sauce enhances the flavors, while the vibrant avocado, roma tomato, and red onion in the salsa promise a burst of freshness. Trust in the quality of ingredients and the expertise behind this recipe for a memorable culinary adventure.
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