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 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 cocoa 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!
Orange Cacao Nib Roasted Paiche
From: Mast Brothers Chocolate
Yield: 2-4 servings depending on size of fish
Total Time: About 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Browned Butter Sauce
1 stick butter
2 T white wine vinegar
2 egg yolks
Spice Rub
1/2 c cacao nibs
1 T orange zest
1 T whole cloves
2 t sea salt
2 t black pepper
1-1 1/2lb paiche fillet
1 T olive oil
Directions:
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!
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Other Good Fish and Seafood Recipes:
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
Crispy Chipotle Shrimp with Corn
New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp
Cecilia Richter
September 13, 2018 at 7:00 amTried 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
September 13, 2018 at 10:00 amSorry 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
September 5, 2014 at 11:04 pmCacao 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
February 10, 2014 at 11:08 pmI'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
February 10, 2014 at 4:39 pmSad I missed the giveaway, but still love finding out about a new fish. I recently tried sablefish and it was great!
Alyssa
February 10, 2014 at 4:36 pmI am all about anything with brown butter and cacao in it! Sounds delicious!
Brian E.
February 8, 2014 at 4:22 amThanks for the giveaway… Fish Tacos using Cod fillets.
Brian E.
February 8, 2014 at 4:22 amThanks for the giveaway… Fish Tacos using Cod fillets.
kimbly
February 8, 2014 at 3:55 amI love fried catfish [email protected] .com
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February 8, 2014 at 2:29 amI follow you on pinterest as rounder9834
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Thomas Murphy
February 8, 2014 at 2:28 amI love salmon.
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Janna Johnson
February 8, 2014 at 1:08 amCocoa rub loks good on fish.
Leanne Godfrey
February 7, 2014 at 10:09 pmI follow you on Facebook. Leanne Godfrey
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February 7, 2014 at 10:09 pmI follow you on Twitter – @ladyleanneg
Leanne Godfrey
February 7, 2014 at 10:08 pmI like lemon pepper Tilapia.
Anonymous
February 7, 2014 at 8:04 pmI like grilled tuna steaks johnlovelyn2012(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sonya
February 7, 2014 at 5:20 pmWe love soy maple salmon
Lauren Eggers
February 7, 2014 at 2:03 pmI like grilled tuna steaks. neyabenz(at)gmail(dot)com
Anonymous
February 7, 2014 at 10:40 amI would love to win. I have some whole foods coupons I would like to use to make this $25 stretch further. Hope I win!
email is redrobin1191 at yahoo dot com
Sky Evans
February 7, 2014 at 4:39 amI follow on pinterest (skyevans7)
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February 7, 2014 at 4:38 amI follow on facebook
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Sky Evans
February 7, 2014 at 4:38 amI love fish sticks.
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February 7, 2014 at 4:24 amPinterest follower. ladyt64
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February 7, 2014 at 4:23 amI love swordfish.
Jennifer
February 7, 2014 at 1:21 amDon't hate me, but I'm a vegetarian, so I don't eat any fish.
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February 7, 2014 at 12:29 amI follow you on Twitter – EmelyDrugge
Emely
February 7, 2014 at 12:28 amMy favorite fish is grilled salmon!
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Donalyn @ The Creekside Cook
February 6, 2014 at 8:44 pmHave 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
February 6, 2014 at 8:33 pmi like salmon. it's my favorite fish.
Erica C.
February 6, 2014 at 2:43 pmI'm not big on fish, but I love some crab cakes!
samdaleo
February 6, 2014 at 2:11 pmMy 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
February 6, 2014 at 9:43 amI love most fish but, especially my husband's red snapper.
blew415
February 6, 2014 at 1:49 amI like tilapia
blew415
February 6, 2014 at 1:49 amI like tilapia
jules mcnubbin (buttmuffin)
February 6, 2014 at 12:42 ami love salmon. i usually marinate it in a ginger teriyaki sauce
Ansh| Spiceroots
February 5, 2014 at 10:28 pmI 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
February 5, 2014 at 10:05 pmI 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
February 5, 2014 at 11:25 amI am not a fish fan, except shellfish. I do occasionally like a thin flounder fillet, lightly battered and fried.
Yi @ Yi Reservation
February 5, 2014 at 4:34 amI 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
February 4, 2014 at 9:03 pmMy favorite fish is salmon.
Lisa Voyce
February 5, 2014 at 12:17 amMy favorite fish to eat is flounder. (Catching them is good too).
Jen
February 4, 2014 at 8:54 pmMy favorite fish is catfish
Chef Mireille
February 4, 2014 at 2:47 pmFirst 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
February 4, 2014 at 12:41 pmBrowned 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
February 4, 2014 at 4:12 amI 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
February 4, 2014 at 12:45 amOh, 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
February 4, 2014 at 12:33 amThis 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!
♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬
February 3, 2014 at 10:28 amI follow you on Pinterest as cezovski9
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February 3, 2014 at 10:28 amI subscribe to your newsletter via e-mail.
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February 3, 2014 at 10:27 amMy favorite is halibut, cooked with lemon and butter
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Ashley
February 3, 2014 at 3:54 amI love panko-crusted catfish.
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Laura Dembowski
February 2, 2014 at 7:49 pmI 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
February 2, 2014 at 5:38 amI like salmon with a dill sauce.
tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com
Inspired Kathy
February 2, 2014 at 5:31 amBroiled Salmon is about the only fish I ever eat except for fish sticks 😉
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February 2, 2014 at 12:04 amtwitted this today, 01/02
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Terri
February 1, 2014 at 11:14 pmI am following all your boards on Pinterest. terri_moore2
Terri
February 1, 2014 at 11:13 pmI am already a subscriber to your inspiring blog!
Terri
February 1, 2014 at 11:12 pmMy favorite fish is Orange Roughy. I like it baked topped with bread crumbs and parmesan cheese!
Nazneen Hamilton
February 1, 2014 at 10:06 pmThe 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
February 1, 2014 at 8:53 pmI love salmon and orange roughy.
Diane Baum
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nuronerd
February 1, 2014 at 7:17 pmMy favorite fish is tilapia covered in a potato breading.
1993wel
February 1, 2014 at 7:15 amI like tilapia.
Anonymous
February 1, 2014 at 3:42 ampinterest follower ladydanaj
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Anonymous
February 1, 2014 at 3:40 ami like tuna tartar
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Anonymous
February 1, 2014 at 12:52 amany fish in lemon.
kyl neusch
February 1, 2014 at 12:26 amgrilled salmon
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January 31, 2014 at 11:04 pmtwitted this today, 31/01
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Seyma Bennett Shabbir
January 31, 2014 at 9:30 pmMy 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.
January 31, 2014 at 8:35 pmI follow you on Pinterest
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Danielle F.
January 31, 2014 at 8:33 pmI love grilled Salmon w/ a teriyaki based sauce on top. Delicious and simple.
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jacquie astemborski
January 31, 2014 at 8:26 pmjust joined via email to get 2 more entries
jacquie astemborski
January 31, 2014 at 8:26 pmi'm a vegetarian so no favorite fish recipes
Natalie
January 31, 2014 at 8:12 pmI love parmesan crusted tilapia! [email protected] Natalie from MN
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Terri Patillo
January 31, 2014 at 6:43 pmI 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!
Terri P
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Purabi Naha | Cosmopolitan Currymania
January 31, 2014 at 5:21 pmYum! This sounds like a seafood dish oozing with the flavours of cacao nibs and all things good! Salmon is my favourite too!
jdine
January 31, 2014 at 2:54 pmMy favorite is the Brazilian Coconut Lime Shrimp Stew!
VP22
January 31, 2014 at 12:47 pmI love salmon that has been steamed with Cajun seasonings.
Valencia
SexyBrat
January 31, 2014 at 7:53 amI love salmon, or Crappy… lol my family catches them and then my Grandma makes a fish fry.
Guru Uru
January 31, 2014 at 5:08 amLovely cacao rub, it is like a jaffa flavouring 😀
Cheers
CCU
Stephanie
January 31, 2014 at 3:54 amGrilled Halibut with Peach and Pepper Salsa
Tracy R
January 31, 2014 at 1:16 amI 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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meredith m
January 30, 2014 at 11:56 pmIm like you on fb
meredith m
January 30, 2014 at 11:56 pmI really like my husbands tilapia with dill recipe!
casey aubut
January 30, 2014 at 9:28 pmFollow on Twitter [email protected]
casey aubut
January 30, 2014 at 9:27 pmIm simple- I love broiled Salmon with lemon pepper! [email protected]
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January 30, 2014 at 8:16 pmI Follow you on pinterest(kelly Saver)
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January 30, 2014 at 8:16 pmMy favorite is grilled Salmon
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January 30, 2014 at 7:16 pmFollowing on Pinterest
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clc408
January 30, 2014 at 7:14 pmI like either grilled salmon or halibut.
McKim
January 30, 2014 at 6:19 pmWe don't eat fish often, other than pan-frying trout we've caught when camping.
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January 30, 2014 at 3:56 pmI LIKED you on Facebook 🙂
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
January 30, 2014 at 3:54 pmAbbe – I love a good piece of salmon with a soy based sauce 🙂
Daniela Grimburg
January 30, 2014 at 2:50 pmI 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:)
Rich Morris
January 30, 2014 at 4:41 amI follow on pinterest
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Rich Morris
January 30, 2014 at 4:41 amMy favorite fish is grilled salmon. And of course there's the classic tuna sandwich :).
amkj2002
January 30, 2014 at 4:19 amI subscribe to your emails with amkj2002 at hotmail dot com.
Angie Schneider
January 30, 2014 at 4:18 amPaiche…this is new to me. They look almost like salmon to me. Love the cacao rub.
amkj2002
January 30, 2014 at 4:18 amI follow you on facebook, username april scott.
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amkj2002
January 30, 2014 at 4:17 amMy 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)
January 29, 2014 at 8:49 pmthank you so much for the giveaway! I subscribe!
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DeniseL
January 30, 2014 at 2:16 amMy 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
January 30, 2014 at 1:53 amWow, 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
January 30, 2014 at 1:33 amI 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
January 29, 2014 at 11:48 pmGreat fish rub!
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January 29, 2014 at 11:42 pmI'm a subscriber
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January 29, 2014 at 11:41 pmFollow on Pinterest
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January 29, 2014 at 11:41 pmI like Honey Ginger Grilled Salmon
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January 29, 2014 at 8:53 pmFollow you on Pinterest
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January 29, 2014 at 8:53 pmI subscribe to your emails
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January 29, 2014 at 8:53 pmI subscribe to your emails
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January 29, 2014 at 8:52 pmI like grilled salmon
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January 29, 2014 at 8:51 pmI also follow you on Pinterest.
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Georgette
January 29, 2014 at 8:50 pmAbbe,
I do follow you on Facebook: Georgette Coan
Georgette
January 29, 2014 at 8:50 pmHi 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
January 29, 2014 at 8:14 pmI'm already subscribed!!!! (with a different email – let me know if you need it) Luv!!!
Rose-Marie
January 29, 2014 at 8:13 pmMy 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
January 29, 2014 at 8:08 pmI like grilled tilapia topped with a tropical fruit and avocado salsa.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com