This Amazonian paiche fish, rubbed with an orange cacao rub and topped with a browned butter sauce is truly amazing!
What do I say about a prehistoric fish? I wish I could have Adam over at my local Whole Foods tell you.
(He works in the fish department.) I asked him about this paiche and he spoke excitedly. "Love this fish. It's been very popular," he tells me.
So pai-che was on my dinner table the other night. I even asked my neighbor to join us.
Well, let me tell you with excitement, just like Adam, "This is a great fish! We loved it!"
A lot like Chilean sea bass, this is a firm and mild fish.
There is not much shrinkage to speak of. I bought 1.38 pounds and I could have easily made 4 servings out of this, but we ate it in three.
No skin on this fish, equals no waste. It is a fresh water fish, kosher, and lives in piranha infested waters.
The scales on this fish are like armor.
Arapaima is the largest freshwater fish in South America. It is considered a living fossil and has no lungs or gills.
To breathe air it must come to the surface every 5-15 minutes and was originally hunted by spearfishing.
It still is considered endangered in the wild but the Amazone project has learned how to farm these fish.
Hence, Whole Foods is now selling it. And even Morimoto cooked with it on Iron chef.
I could tell you much more, but what I really want you to know is that this paice fish is so easy to cook with.
I cut my fillet into three pieces and the middle section did have one big piece of bone.
It came out in one piece and that was it. No more bones to be had.
There are many ways one could prepare this, but I seared it and then finished it off in the oven.
The results showed that it was still moist, full of flavor and had a great tender but rich, substantial texture.
I used a cocoa nib, orange and clove rub. Sounds weird and I must admit that when I made it, I thought this wasn't going to work.
I took the recipe from the Mast Brothers cookbook.
Yeah, same one I got the Cincinnati chili from. (And guess what? They do sell their chocolate at Whole Foods. I didn't know until I went there looking for paiche. It is pricey though, so I'll have to wait until another time.)
I thought the rub tasted a bit salty, but after the fish was baked, it was perfect.
It was then topped with a light browned butter sauce and served over Basmati rice in which I threw some dried apricots.
My neighbor and Manservant raved about this dinner and though I'm not one to toot my own horn, well, it was a pretty, pretty good dinner!
Whole Foods also sent over some protein powder by Vega and Garden of Life. Manservant was ecstatic.
He is convinced that by getting 30g of protein in the morning that it will jump start his metabolism and help him eat less and lose weight faster.
He, of course, read this in a book. I, of course, will let you know his progress. And if it works I will be convinced and try it too!
Alex saw the containers in the pantry when he came home and said, "This is the good stuff!"
He apparently buys something online that he drinks after he works out.
Manservant has already asked for more and said to tell Whole Foods to send it! (Consider this a request, Danielle!)
It is all over their store right now and I must tell you that I'm partial to the Vega brand, but Manservant is happy with either.
Both are gluten and dairy free but Garden of Life does has some soy.
They also both contain cocoa which is a great thing in my book! Check them out if you need a boost. They make you feel very healthy after you gulp them down!
And now for the piece de resistance! (My computer doesn't do accents or maybe it's me that doesn't know how to type them!)
A few notes on cacoa nibs: They are fermented, dried, roasted and crushed cacao beans. They resemble chocolate, but have no sugar or other flavors added.
They give texture to the rub and they kind of melt in, but not quite. I also used them in a vinaigrette!
Earthy and nutty is the best way I can think to describe them. They worked perfectly in this rub. Can't wait to add some to chocolate chip cookies to see what they do!
Teriyaki Shrimp
Mexican Garlic Lime Shrimp
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Moroccan Fish with Saffron Lime Aioli
White Fish with Mushrooms and Browned Butter
Brazilian Coconut Lime Shrimp Stew
15 Minute Greek Baked Shrimp with Feta
Shrimp and Grits
Recipe
Orange Cacao Rub, Roasted Paiche Fish
- Total Time: 30 Minutes
- Yield: 2 - 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Browned Butter Sauce
1 stick butter
2 T white wine vinegar
2 egg yolks
Spice Rub
½ c cacao nibs
1 T orange zest
1 T whole cloves
2 t sea salt
2 t black pepper
1-1 ½lb paiche fillet
1 T olive oil
Instructions
Start with the sauce:
Put butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until golden brown. Let cool to room temperature.
While butter is browning, whisk vinegar and egg yolks together. Slowly add browned butter to the egg yolk mixture, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt if desired. Keep at room temperature until ready to use.
Spice Rub:
Put all of the ingredients in a mortar and pestle and grind to a somewhat fine paste.
Or throw in a mini processor and pulse a few times!
Fish:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut paiche into desired serving sizes. Rub spice mixture on top of fish.
Heat a cast iron skillet with olive oil over high heat. Sear fish on unrubbed side for two minutes.
Place pan in oven for about 10 minutes or until fish reaches your desired doneness!
Notes
From: Mast Bros Chocolate
Cecilia Richter says
Tried this recipe and the rub is ridiculously strong! Scraping was not enough - we had to wash the fish off to get all the cloves off so we could enjoy the delicious fish underneath it. I'm Peruvian and eat every kind of spicy food but this recipe is inedible.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Sorry you felt that way Cecilia. We really liked this dish so I guess everyone has their own palette. Though this is a Peruvian fish, it isn't a Peruvian recipe. Cloves are definitely something that not everyone likes. They must also be ground very fine and I think the butter sauce really helps balance the recipe. Thanks for letting me know and I'm still glad you enjoyed the fish.
The Health-Minded says
Cacao is loaded with antioxidants and I enjoy throwing it in my smoothies and use it in making granola but I love how you have gone savory here with it. Looks divine!
Miss Dre says
I've never tried paiche but this looks yummy! I love seafood, so would definitely have loved to try this out. And I bet the spice rub was just divine!
Amanda RunToTheFinish says
Sad I missed the giveaway, but still love finding out about a new fish. I recently tried sablefish and it was great!
Alyssa says
I am all about anything with brown butter and cacao in it! Sounds delicious!
Brian E. says
Thanks for the giveaway… Fish Tacos using Cod fillets.
Brian E. says
Thanks for the giveaway… Fish Tacos using Cod fillets.
kimbly says
I love fried catfish kimbly@gmail .com
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Thomas Murphy says
I love salmon.
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Janna Johnson says
Cocoa rub loks good on fish.
Leanne Godfrey says
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Leanne Godfrey says
I like lemon pepper Tilapia.
Anonymous says
I like grilled tuna steaks johnlovelyn2012(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sonya says
We love soy maple salmon
Lauren Eggers says
I like grilled tuna steaks. neyabenz(at)gmail(dot)com
Anonymous says
I would love to win. I have some whole foods coupons I would like to use to make this $25 stretch further. Hope I win!
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Sky Evans says
I love fish sticks.
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Roxann says
I love swordfish.
Jennifer says
Don't hate me, but I'm a vegetarian, so I don't eat any fish.
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Emely says
My favorite fish is grilled salmon!
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Donalyn @ The Creekside Cook says
Have to admit that I am not really very fond of most fish. I do like the freshly caught trout my husband brings home though - we usually use some kind of marinade and grill it. This looks very interesting though!
Susan Smoaks says
i like salmon. it's my favorite fish.
Erica C. says
I'm not big on fish, but I love some crab cakes!
samdaleo says
My very favorite fish is Chilean Sea Bass. Its hard to find and super expensive but delicious!
Samantha (samdaleo)
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anne marie Carter says
I love most fish but, especially my husband's red snapper.
blew415 says
I like tilapia
blew415 says
I like tilapia
jules mcnubbin (buttmuffin) says
i love salmon. i usually marinate it in a ginger teriyaki sauce
Ansh| Spiceroots says
I was telling Holly the other day that I am going to try make a curry out of the paiche. It will be outstanding,,I hope :))
Love your spice rub and the resulting dish! YUmm!
Biz says
I will have to look for that fish - Chilean sea bass is one of the "non-fishy" types of fish I like - but the price tag of $23 a pound - I am not buying it to make at home anytime soon!
Can't do tilapia or catfish - just - ew!
Deb Christie says
I am not a fish fan, except shellfish. I do occasionally like a thin flounder fillet, lightly battered and fried.
Yi @ Yi Reservation says
I know it's endangered fish but my absolutely favorite is Chilean seabass. Just love that buttery and rich flavor. Since it's an endangered species I have most recently been enjoying halibut and wild salmon. Thanks for introducing me to paiche I'll be looking for it in Whole Foods next time!
Jennifer Reed says
My favorite fish is salmon.
Lisa Voyce says
My favorite fish to eat is flounder. (Catching them is good too).
Jen says
My favorite fish is catfish
Chef Mireille says
First of all what an amazing spice rub. Would never have thought to pair those flavors with fish. I started following you on twitter(@globaltastes) and Pinterest(chefmireille). My favorite fish that's hard - it used to be Chilean sea bass but once I heard they were endangered I stopped eating that. Being from the Caribbean, I use shark and dried salted cod a lot but I'm also a big fan of mahi-mahi. I also think monkfish gets a bad rep because of its appearance but has such a nice flavor and is great for soups, curries and stocks.I guess I couldn't just pick one fave fish.
You can contact me via my blog at http://www.eastwestrealm.com
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Browned butter sauce? You had my attention! Prehistoric (lol!) and Morimoto - game on! This is just lovely! What a fabulous, interesting combination of flavors!
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
I really like your recipe. Your choice of cocoa nibs is something I'd like to try. I won't enter into your giveaway since I am participating in the same Whole Foods Ambassador program but I just wanted to say I look forward to enjoying more of your posts! Holly
Liz Berg says
Oh, wow, this fish sounds fantastic!! I'll have to see if our WF has it...as I've only had beef with a cocoa rub and would love to try your recipe.
Anna and Liz Recipes says
This recipe sounds amazing! We love trying out different flavors with fish and you nailed it with this one! Our favorite fish is Branzino, made simply with olive oil, parsley and lemon juice. What a nice giveaway!! Very generous Abbe!
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♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says
My favorite is halibut, cooked with lemon and butter
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Ashley says
I love panko-crusted catfish.
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Laura Dembowski says
I absolutely love fish and eat it multiple times per week - usually wild salmon. I have heard of paiche, but never tried it. Now I really want to!
Tamar says
I like salmon with a dill sauce.
tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com
Inspired Kathy says
Broiled Salmon is about the only fish I ever eat except for fish sticks 😉
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I am following all your boards on Pinterest. terri_moore2
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I am already a subscriber to your inspiring blog!
Terri says
My favorite fish is Orange Roughy. I like it baked topped with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese!
Nazneen Hamilton says
The fish looks great Abbe! Love the cacao nibs and orange combination. Never thought of adding it to fish though, bet it tasted great. I like the white fishes the best, cod, plaice, sole, flounder. One of my favourite ways is to make cod with a sweet and sour sticky sauce, soooogood. Ok, I follow you on everything and subscribe, though I'm a terrible blogger friend because I take forever to get over here and comment. Sorry!! xxxx
Diane52 says
I love salmon and orange roughy.
Diane Baum
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nuronerd says
My favorite fish is tilapia covered in a potato breading.
1993wel says
I like tilapia.
Anonymous says
pinterest follower ladydanaj
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Anonymous says
i like tuna tartar
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Anonymous says
any fish in lemon.
kyl neusch says
grilled salmon
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twitted this today, 31/01
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Seyma Bennett Shabbir says
My favorite fish are both Tilapia for versatility and Chilean Sea bass (so meaty!). I love Salmon and tuna but only raw!
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Danielle F. says
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Danielle F. says
I love grilled Salmon w/ a teriyaki based sauce on top. Delicious and simple.
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jacquie astemborski says
just joined via email to get 2 more entries
jacquie astemborski says
i'm a vegetarian so no favorite fish recipes
Natalie says
I love parmesan crusted tilapia! [email protected] Natalie from MN
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Terri Patillo says
I love fresh Red Snapper caught off of the coast of Southeast Georgia -- so sweet!
I bake it with lemons, rosemary, and thyme. So simple and so delicious!
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Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania says
Yum! This sounds like a seafood dish oozing with the flavours of cacao nibs and all things good! Salmon is my favourite too!
jdine says
My favorite is the Brazilian Coconut Lime Shrimp Stew!
VP22 says
I love salmon that has been steamed with Cajun seasonings.
Valencia
SexyBrat says
I love salmon, or Crappy... lol my family catches them and then my Grandma makes a fish fry.
Guru Uru says
Lovely cacao rub, it is like a jaffa flavouring 😀
Cheers
CCU
Stephanie says
Grilled Halibut with Peach and Pepper Salsa
Tracy R says
I don't have a favorite fish recipe, but my boyfriend loves grilled salmon and I love shopping at Whole Foods.
Tracy from CA
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Im like you on fb
meredith m says
I really like my husbands tilapia with dill recipe!
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casey aubut says
Im simple- I love broiled Salmon with lemon pepper! [email protected]
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kellyr78 says
My favorite is grilled Salmon
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clc408 says
I like either grilled salmon or halibut.
McKim says
We don't eat fish often, other than pan-frying trout we've caught when camping.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
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Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Abbe - I love a good piece of salmon with a soy based sauce 🙂
Daniela Grimburg says
I love this fantastic looking paiche, prepared in a very creative way!
We do get quite a lot of paiche here in Peru, which comes from the Amazonas region but I must confess I've never prepared one myself.
With your yummy looking recipe, now I will:)
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Rich Morris says
My favorite fish is grilled salmon. And of course there's the classic tuna sandwich :).
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Angie Schneider says
Paiche...this is new to me. They look almost like salmon to me. Love the cacao rub.
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amkj2002 says
My favorite fish recipe is to take a nice piece of wild caught salmon, spread it with seedless raspberry jelly, then drizzle with a little bourbon. Bake it in the oven at about 400-425 until fish is done. You end up with a sweet, carmelized glaze on top. So tasty!
Amanda Sakovitz (mandy83) says
thank you so much for the giveaway! I subscribe!
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DeniseL says
My favorite fish is crappie, which you pretty much have to catch to eat. I don't think it's commercially available, but it's so good!
Juliana says
Wow, I love the sound and the look of this rub...cacao and orange zest...yum! And yes, brown butter sauce...delicious paired with the fish.
Nice giveaway Abbe...hope you are having a great week 😀
Kitchen Riffs says
I like any fish, as long as it's really fresh! But Alaskan salmon? Yes, please. Either grilled or poached (and covered with a nice sauce). I haven't heard eaten paiche -- I'll have to seek it out. At Whole Foods, of course! 😉
yummychunklet says
Great fish rub!
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JC says
I like Honey Ginger Grilled Salmon
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Elena says
I like grilled salmon
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I also follow you on Pinterest.
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Georgette says
Abbe,
I do follow you on Facebook: Georgette Coan
Georgette says
Hi Abbe,
I love Chilean Sea Bass. I have not heard of the fish you posted about until you posted today- I will have to check it out at Whole Foods and see what I can do.
As for how I make the sea bass, I usually make it very simple and use lemon juice, salt, and pepper. I don't experiment too much with fish, but I am going to start doing so.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Georgette
gigicoan at yahoo dot com
Rose-Marie says
I'm already subscribed!!!! (with a different email - let me know if you need it) Luv!!!
Rose-Marie says
My favorite fish recipe is battered and coconut dipped chunks of white fish and sauteed in coconut oi - this Paiche sounds like a great fish to try it!
Nancy says
I like grilled tilapia topped with a tropical fruit and avocado salsa.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com