Cuba · Mahi-Mahi

Pan-Seared Dorado with Cuban Mojo

Dorado a la Plancha con Mojo

Firm dorado steaks seared hot on the plancha and finished with warm Cuban mojo: sour orange, lots of garlic and olive oil, poured on sizzling.

  • Prep 15 min
  • Cook 15 min
  • Serves 4
  • Level Easy
Photo: goodiesfirst · CC BY 2.0

Ingredients

Tap each item as you gather it.

For the fish

For the mojo

Method

Step by step, the way it is done on the island.

  1. Season the fish. Pat the dorado dry and season with salt, pepper and cumin.
  2. Make the mojo. Warm the olive oil in a small pan over medium-low heat and cook the onion and garlic 2–3 minutes until fragrant but not brown. Off the heat, stir in the sour orange, oregano and salt; it will sizzle. Keep warm.
  3. Sear. Heat a cast-iron griddle or skillet over high heat with the vegetable oil. Sear the fish 3–4 minutes per side until golden and just opaque in the center.
  4. Serve. Move the fish to plates, spoon the warm mojo with its onions over the top and sprinkle with parsley.

On the side

The side dish that belongs with it, full recipe included.

Cuba

Cuban Black Beans and Rice

Moros y Cristianos

Black beans and rice cooked together in one pot with a garlicky sofrito. In Cuba no fish plate is complete without it.

  • Prep 15 min
  • Cook 40 min
  • Serves 6
  • Level Easy

You need

  • 2 cans (15 oz) black beans, drained, liquid saved (or 1 cup dry beans, cooked)
  • 1½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 3 strips bacon, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2½ cups liquid: the bean liquid plus water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar

How to make it

  1. Sofrito. In a heavy pot, fry the bacon until it gives up its fat. Add the olive oil, onion and green pepper and cook 6 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin and oregano for 1 minute.
  2. Add rice and beans. Stir in the rice to coat it, then the beans, the 2½ cups liquid, bay leaf, salt and vinegar.
  3. Cook low. Bring to a boil, cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  4. Rest. Turn off the heat and leave it covered 10 minutes more, then fluff with a fork.

Photo: Juan Emilio Prades Bel · CC BY-SA 4.0