The Balch family is at the peak of our swim and tennis season. This whole week is a shuffle to and from meets and matches, but thanks to Dorie we are eating well on the go. I was thrilled when I read through this recipe and it said that it tasted good at room temperature.
I packed up this lovely meal and brought it to my daughter's swim meet. She was too nervous about swimming butterfly stroke for the first time to want to eat anything until after the meet was over. Then she sat down and devoured the meal. My daughter loved it, but my son loved it even more. He actually said this was the best meal that I've made in a while. Everything worked well together.
I would have to agree. Dorie was right on to suggest serving this swordfish with tomatoes in the summer. I skipped the herb salad because I knew it wouldn't be a family friendly touch.
The marinade of lemon zest and capers with onions was outstanding. I thought Dorie's instruction to dry off the fish before sautéing it kinda of odd, so I ignored it, and just put a touch of oil in a very hot cast iron skillet. The oil from the marinade was perfect for cooking up the swordfish. I forgot what a flavorful and nicely textured fish swordfish can be... I think I like it more than tuna.
After I cooked up the fish I tossed the marinade into the pan and sautéed the onions. Again ignoring Dorie's instructions to microwave it??? I wanted to soften the onions and I was glad I did... a fantastic topping on the fish.
I don't like to mix too many flavors in a single dish, so I put the rosemary that was suppose to top the fish into the potatoes I made. I felt the lemon, caper and onion flavor was enough for the fish. The tomatoes I mixed with red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and oregano. This meal had all the best flavors of a summer in the Mediterranean. We enjoyed it greatly.
Note: As a member of French Friday's with Dorie I am not allowed to print the recipe. I invite you to take a look at this wonderful cookbook "Around My French Table" if you are interested in this or any other recipe I review.
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We really enjoyed the lemon, caper & shallot marinade on the fish (and chicken). The marinade alone made this recipe a keeper.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, all went well at the competition!
Great idea to use it on chicken too. I love Dorie's sauces and marinades. Our team lost the meet... not having the best season.
DeleteThat sounds so delicious. I probably would have avoided the microwave as well, odd.
ReplyDeleteDorie's recipes are delicious but her technique can be strange... but my she gets me to cook really interesting things.
DeleteGlad that you like this recipe as much as I did. When have you ever served swordfish to your family - not usual fare at my house. The marinade was the perfect foil for the fish, I think, to pull out all the flavor. I did include the salad (it was an adult dinner party) and that worked okay, just okay. All in all, like you, I loved this. Glad your kids are enjoying their summer sports competitions but it does keep Mom and Dad running, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt sure does keep us running... going to my son's tennis match in an hour. It is about 100 degrees outside. You are so right about swordfish it is just not a fish I think of making, but thanks to Dorie it will now be included in my repertoire. Glad it was a hit for you too Mary... ah, I envy your adult dinner parties... but that time will come. I am enjoying the kids greatly, at this age their conversation is even interesting.
DeleteI love capers. They have such a great salty taste! This looks great :)
ReplyDeleteYou should try this marinade Ann... you can put it on any fish or even chicken.
Deleteyour fish looks great ! I am trying it with chicken today, but I am a little confused about the caper juice. What exactly is it ? Does one have to buy it?
ReplyDeleteThe juice in the caper jar.
DeleteThanks Diane ! We weren't very impressed with the chicken version. it was a bit too sour for us. the marination probably needed some tweaking.
DeleteMaybe you need less lemon with chicken. That would make it sour. Also less zest.
DeleteLOved the marinade on this and will be using it again on other fish and chicken now too!
ReplyDeleteHave to agree... really a versatile marinade.
DeleteI have not had swordfish in years. This looks so delicious, I might have to go buy some next week :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you Lisa, I don't know anyone who regularly buys it and it is really better in texture and taste than tuna. I hope you can get it where you live. I know that parts of this country are partically bad for getting fish.
DeleteYour swordfish looks terrific - I really enjoyed this one too. I wish I could swap your yummy potatoes for my chips - when you live alone, you cut corners, not necessarily for the best!
ReplyDeleteMy mom would always throw a potato in the microwave. It is a good quick way to have a fresh potato.
DeleteWe used Blue Fin Tuna but really enjoyed this, too. What a great treat for your kids!
ReplyDeleteI love tuna, but I haven't had swordfish in ages and I think I like it more now, it's easier to cook well.
DeleteI'm with you -- deglazed the pan w/the marinade which cooked it and the nice onion slices. I'm so impressed you made a swim meet picnic out of this dish. Bravo, Mommy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy,
DeleteWho said you can't eat well on the go. The swordfish really did taste good at room temperature.
I wish my family would embrace seafood....lucky you! I'm glad your family enjoyed this...and serving it with tomatoes was an excellent idea :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think my kids have ever had a choice since I've always cooked a lot of seafood. It is so much part of Southern Italian cuisine also I grew up in a beach town.
DeleteDiane, your sworfish looks wonderful and I have to agree with my previous commentators, how wonderful to read that your kids also enjoy seafood. I decided to skip this Friday since it was the last day of school yesterday and we decided to take the kids on a lovely afternoon trip to amazing Cologne and I just felt like blogging about that instead...
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend filled with fun, sport events and delicious summer treats!
Thanks Andrea,
DeleteSounds like a wonderful time... glad you are enjoying the summer with your family.
As Dorie mentioned, this can be prepared ahead. A great idea for picnic fare, and so happy to hear your children enjoyed
ReplyDeleteit. Love the photo of that pretty young lady. Have a great weekend and stay cool.
Thanks so much Nana... yes, Dorie was so right about taking this for picnicking. I would have never thought of it, but wow it made the evening special.
DeleteI really liked this one too though I forgot the onions. I did save the leftover marinade to dress some leftover potatoes or grains though. I missed Dorie's mention that this is good at room temp, so good to know for next time. Hope your daughter did well at the swim meet.
ReplyDeleteThanks... forgot the onions! I am so addicted to onions I image that they belong in most recipes.. LOL. My daughter did OK in the meet... she is having a hard time with Butterfly stroke.. it is really difficult, especially to a kid whose favorite is breast stroke, very different.
DeleteHa. Don't you love it when someone at home says "this is the best thing you have made in a long time" and gets you figuring out what they might NOT have liked? lol. I know its an expression but I can't help but wonder ... This was just a lovely meal and I at it at room temp for my lunch the next day as a picnic for one. Have a great summer girl! BTW, I'm trying now to find a week to get to your part of the world in October....
ReplyDeleteThe thought did cross my mind... what did he think of everything else I've been slaving away to make for dinner? Oct is a great time in NYC... Definitely up for doing a foodie day with you!
DeleteDiane your fish looks great and how clever of you to pack it up and take it on the go. I remember those days with our family and I wasn't so organized! It was more of a mad dash around here!!! I used the marinade on chicken breasts a few days ago and it was just as delicious. Hope your weekend was good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Guyla my kids don't know how lucky they are to have an organized mom who feeds them well. Later in life they might appreciate it more... my son is starting to get it.
DeleteThis looks amazing! I think I'll give this a try while we're camping. Visiting from Friday Food Frenzy.
ReplyDeleteYour my kinda of camper.
DeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteA grab and go fish with such flavor, this looks delicious! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week.
Miz Helen