Best Annatto Marinade For Fish Recipes
YUCATáN FISH
Yucatecan fare differs from other Mexican food. It is a cuisine rooted in the cooking of the native Maya people, crossed with that of the many conquerors who passed through. The ingredients there are rather particular; among them is achiote, also called annatto, a hard seed that imparts a delicious musky flavor and bright color to many marinades. Achiote is at its best in the company of garlic and hot chiles, along with an assortment of pungent spices, ground to a paste. The thick red sauce is diluted with the juice of sour oranges and tiny limes. The Yucatecan custom is to coat fish, tikin xic, with the spice mixture and wrap it in banana leaves with pickled onions before cooking. Fish prepared this way is always wonderfully moist, and the banana leaves, aside from making the ideal parcel for grilling or pit roasting, add a subtle aroma and taste.
Provided by David Tanis
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Make the pickled onions: Put onion in a bowl and season generously with salt and pepper. Add serrano, 3 tablespoons orange juice and 2 tablespoons lime juice, then mix well. Set aside for at least 15 minutes. Combine and reserve remaining citrus juice for marinade.
- Make the marinade: Put achiote, cinnamon, oregano and chipotle in a small stainless steel or glass bowl. In a small dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast cumin, cloves and allspice until fragrant, 1 minute or less. Grind toasted spices to a powder in a spice mill or mortar, then add to other spices. Add garlic, 1 large pinch salt and remaining citrus juice and stir to make a paste. If very thick, add more lime juice. (Note: achiote may stain surfaces or clothing.)
- Season fish on both sides with salt and pepper. Using a sharp knife, score skin at thickest parts, if desired. Paint fish on both sides with marinade. Squeeze a little lime juice over fish. Chill for 45 minutes (or up to 2 hours).
- Bring fish to room temperature and heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut banana leaves crosswise into footlong lengths and soften by passing them briefly over a stovetop burner. Rinse leaves and pat dry. Lay a double thickness of leaves on a baking sheet and lay fish on it, skin-side down. Top fish with a large handful of pickled onions. Arrange tomato wedges over onions. Sprinkle with salt and a little more lime juice. Lay more leaves on top, then wrap like a package, tying with string or strips of leaf. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove and let package rest, unopened, for 15 minutes. Serve with remaining pickled onions.
ANNATTO MARINADE FOR FISH
Provided by Food Network
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Grind annatto seeds, peppercorns, allspice berries and cumin with mortar and pestle. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in oregano, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaves. Add orange juice, vinegar and vegetable oil and whisk until well blended. Open fish (as for book) and arrange in large glass baking dish. Pour marinade over. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove fish from marinade; reserve marinade. Season fish with salt and pepper. Bake fish until cooked through, basting occasionally with marinade, about 45 minutes. Transfer fish to plates. Garnish with lime and red onion.
PESCADO EN ACHIOTE (MEXICAN FISH IN ANNATTO SAUCE)
White fish fillets and shrimp are marinated with achiote, orange juice, lemon, and spices, baked in the oven, and served with habanero sauce and red onion. You can use any white fish fillets. These are typical flavors of Southeast Mexico.
Provided by Chef Gaby Cervello
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Combine 3/4 cup water, achiote paste, onion, juice of 2 limes, juice of 1 orange, vinegar, garlic, 1 teaspoon oregano, salt, and pepper in a blender; blend until smooth.
- Season both sides of the fish fillets with salt and pepper, then brush the top with melted butter. Arrange fish fillets in a baking dish. Add shrimp on top and cover with achiote sauce. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 30 minutes.
- Place red onion and habanero peppers in a glass bowl. Add 1 cup water, juice of 1/2 orange, and juice of 1 lime; stir well and season with salt, peppercorns, and Mexican oregano.
- Serve fish and shrimp with achiote sauce and top with habanero sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 412.9 calories, Carbohydrate 10.9 g, Cholesterol 210 mg, Fat 24.2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 37 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 757.3 mg, Sugar 6.7 g
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Annatto marinade is a widely used spice mixture in various cuisines. It is used for its bright orange-red color and mild flavor that imparts a unique taste to dishes. Fish is a popular choice to cook with annatto marinade since it helps enhance the natural flavors of the fish while also adding a distinct and colorful touch. This article delves into understanding annatto marinade and its use in fish recipes.
What is Annatto?
Annatto is a natural colorant derived from seeds of the Achiote tree, native to Central and South America. It is commonly used as a spice for its sharp, earthy and slightly sweet flavor, as well as its vibrant reddish-orange color. Annatto is primarily used to marinate meat, poultry or fish dishes, as well as to color cheeses, butter, and bakery products. Annatto is usually sold in either in whole seed or powder form.Types of Annatto Marinade
There are endless ways to make annatto marinade, which can vary based on ingredients, culture, and personal preferences. Nonetheless, certain types of annatto marinade are more commonly used in fish dishes than others. Here are some popular types of annatto marinades:Mexican Annatto Marinade
Mexican annatto marinade is a spicy blend of annatto seeds, garlic, vinegar or lime juice, spices such as cumin, oregano, and black pepper, and chilies. This type of marinade works well with grilled fish dishes or tacos.Caribbean Annatto Marinade
Caribbean annatto marinade is similar to the Mexican version but has a sweeter taste. The marinade usually includes rum or orange juice, sugar or honey, and spices such as allspice, nutmeg, and thyme. This marinade is perfect for Caribbean-style fish dishes, such as Jerk Fish or Trinidad and Tobago-style fish curry.Asian Annatto Marinade
Asian annatto marinade is again similar to Mexican annatto marinade, but with a few variations. It includes soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic, and can also have red pepper flakes or chilies added for an extra spicy kick. This type of marinade is perfect for grilled or baked fish.How to Use Annatto Marinade for Fish Dishes
Using annatto marinade for fish dishes is easy, and here are a few tips to get the most out of it:Marinating
Marinating in annatto will take your fish to another level of flavor. To marinate the fish properly, start by coating the fish in the marinade and allow it to sit in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This time allows the marinade to fully penetrate the fish and for the flavors to meld together.Basting
While cooking the fish, basting with leftover marinade also adds additional flavor and helps to retain moisture in the fish. Be sure to baste the fish regularly while cooking, particularly when grilling or baking.Serving
It's the final touch that counts. Add a pop of color to your dish by drizzling extra annatto marinade over the fish when serving, giving it an instant pop of color.Conclusion
Annatto marinade is an incredibly versatile and flavorful ingredient that adds both color and taste to dishes. When paired with fish, it helps to bring out the natural flavors of the seafood while giving it a decorative touch. Be adventurous and try different annatto marinade recipes for your fish dishes to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.
Making an annatto marinade for fish recipes can be a bit tricky at first, but once you have mastered the art of blending the right ingredients, it can be a great way to add some flavor to your fish dishes. In this article, we will provide you with some valuable tips to help you get started.