Coastal baked albacore with warm peanut-lime sauce, served with rustic cassava cake and onion-tomato salad

Instructions

1. 1

   1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C / 400 °F. Lightly grease a baking tray and an oven-safe pan or mold with a little of the vegetable oil.

2. 2

   2. Place the cassava in a pot with enough water and part of the salt. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes until very tender. Drain, remove the fibrous core if needed, and mash while hot with the butter, egg, half of the fresh cheese, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 chopped garlic clove.

3. 3

   3. Transfer the cassava mash to the greased pan, level it, and top with the remaining fresh cheese. Bake at 200 °C / 400 °F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are golden and the surface is lightly set.

4. 4

   4. While the cassava bakes, prepare the fish. Mix the achiote paste, 2 tablespoons of the lime juice, cumin, dried oregano, 2 chopped garlic cloves, part of the salt, part of the black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Rub this mixture over the albacore fillets and let rest for 10 minutes.

5. 5

   5. Place the albacore fillets on the greased tray and bake at 200 °C / 400 °F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cooked through but still juicy.

6. 6

   6. For the sauce, blend the roasted peanuts with the water, milk, and 1 garlic clove until smooth. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat, sauté half of the red onion for 2 to 3 minutes, and add the blended mixture. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened. Season with the remaining lime juice, part of the salt, and black pepper. Add half of the cilantro and, if desired, the fresh chili.

7. 7

   7. For the salad, combine the remaining red onion with the tomato, the rest of the cilantro, sugar, a pinch of salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Rub the onion with the lime and sugar for 1 minute to soften its flavor, then mix in the tomato and cilantro.

8. 8

   8. Remove the cassava cake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve each portion with one albacore fillet, a generous spoonful of warm peanut sauce, and a portion of fresh onion and tomato salad.