Butter Grilled Wahoo (or Swordfish, Cobia, King Mackerel) with Basil Pesto Mashed Taters
Yep, when the boys could get offshore, there were some nice wahoos caught this early spring. I personally haven’t had the “blood-boiling” pleasure to land a ‘hoo yet this season. I have, however, cut and cleaned a few, including one weighing 85 lbs. and several in the 60 lb. class (yummy!). So take advantage of this delicious spring species to put on your own dinner plate. My suggestion to everyone on the NC coast: get the grill hot and try this recipe.
This recipe is for two people, so if you need to feed more, then just add more!
You will need:
(2) 1 inch thick wahoo steaks
a little kosher salt or sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
a sprinkle of granulated garlic on each steak
1/2 lemon
1 large ripe tomato sliced
1/2 stick butter melted and cooled slightly
2 tablespoons basil pesto
2 large russet potatoes
First thing to do is make sure that the grill is hot. Then use seasoning (salt, pepper, and garlic) to lightly sprinkle on your wahoo. And I mean lightly sprinkle. Use only enough seasoning so that you can just start to see it on the fish.
Next spread half of the melted butter on the wahoo portions. And before you add them to the grill, make sure you have your russet mashed potatoes going.
Place the wahoo steaks on the hot grill, and turn the fish after 3-4 minutes. Once the wahoo is done on both sides, you can pull it off.
With the fish waiting on the side, add two tablespoons of basil pesto to the mashed potatoes. Mix the potatoes and basil pesto well.
Finally, place the fish over the mashed potatoes, and serve sliced tomatoes on the side.
Spread the remaining butter on the warm fish, and finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Eat American Seafood!
Chef Danny Hieronymus
Danny Hieronymus was born and raised in Wrightsville Beach into a commercial fishing family and has been catching fish throughout NC all his life. He has also been cooking with his mother since he was 8 years old in the family restaurant. He can be reached at capefearcookin@yahoo.com.
