
Honduran Fish Fillet in Toasted Cashew and Sour Orange Sauce with Corn Rice and Green Beans
An original dish inspired by Honduran flavors: seared fish fillets finished in a silky sauce of toasted cashews, sour orange, tomato, and sweet pepper, served over rice with sweet corn and paired with sautéed green beans. It combines citrusy, mellow, and lightly toasted notes in a comforting homemade preparation.
Ingredients
- 680 g firm white fish fillets (tilapia, mero or pargo, skinless)
- 8 g salt (divided)
- 2 g black pepper (divided)
- 2 g ground cumin
- 80 ml sour orange juice (si no hay, usar mezcla of orange and lima)
- 12 g garlic (chopped, divided)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 70 g raw cashews (unsalted)
- 240 g ripe tomato (chopped)
- 120 g red bell pepper (chopped)
- 150 g white onion (chopped, divided)
- 12 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 360 ml water or broth (divided)
- 190 g white rice (crudo, enjuagado)
- 120 g corn kernels (fresh or congelados)
- 220 g green beans (despuntados and cut por mitad)
- 14 g butter
- 1 unit bay leaf
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Season the fish fillets with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, 1 g (1/2 tsp) black pepper, the ground cumin, half of the chopped garlic, and 30 ml (2 tbsp) of the sour orange juice. Let them rest in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
- 2
2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat and toast the cashews for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
- 3
3. In a blender, combine the toasted cashews, tomato, red bell pepper, half of the onion, 120 ml (1/2 cup) water or broth, the remaining sour orange juice, 2 g (1/2 tsp) salt, and the rest of the black pepper. Blend until very smooth.
- 4
4. For the corn rice, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the remaining onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in the rice, corn kernels, and bay leaf; cook for 1 minute, stirring.
- 5
5. Add 240 ml (1 cup) water or broth and 1 g (1/4 tsp) salt to the rice. When it boils, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
- 6
6. In another skillet, melt the butter with 5 ml (1 tsp) of the remaining oil over medium heat. Add the green beans, a pinch of salt, and the rest of the garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until tender but still bright green. Keep warm.
- 7
7. Lightly pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Heat the remaining 10 ml (2 tsp) oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the fish for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly colored and nearly cooked through.
- 8
8. Lower the heat to medium and pour the blended sauce into the skillet with the fish. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, gently moving the pan occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the fish reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C.
- 9
9. Stir the fresh cilantro into the sauce during the last minute of cooking and adjust the salt if needed.
- 10
10. Serve a bed of corn rice, place the fish on top with plenty of toasted cashew sauce, and add the sautéed green beans on the side.
Chef tips
For an even smoother sauce, strain it after blending. If you want deeper flavor, roast the tomato and bell pepper before blending.
Substitutions
You can use snapper, tilapia, or grouper. The cashews may be replaced with toasted pumpkin seeds if you need to avoid tree nuts, though the flavor will change. Sour orange can be replaced with 45 ml (3 tbsp) orange juice plus 30 ml (2 tbsp) lime juice.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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