Lenten Special-Mahi Mahi with Spinach Orzo Salad with Lemon Dressing

 

Mahi-Mahi Foil Packet Dinner with Spinach Orzo Salad with Lemon Dressing 

Cook's Notes:

It has been awhile since I bought Mahi Mahi. But when I spied some at Trader Joes in the freezer case I knew it would be the perfect meal for an Ash Wednesday meal.
Mahi Mahi is the Hawaiian name for the species Coryphaena hippurus, also known in Spanish as the Dorado or the dolphin fish in English. It has a mild and sweet taste. The texture is moderately firm. In fact, I can say that Mahi Mahi is one of the best tasting fish I've had, so delicious. I did do some calling around and despite chilly temepratures and only being February this fish is available in larger grocery stores or fish markets. The fish was paired with a Spinach Orzo Salad with  Lemon Dressing. Another option is to bake fish fillets in foil but adding in small Yukon cubed potatoes and red peppers as pictured below and not serve an orzo salad.  Recipe serves 2. 

Mahi Mahi Ingredients:

• 2 Mahi Mahi fillets or any other fish with a meaty texture like swordfish or rock cod or bass
• Small Yukon potatoes about 4 for each packet. 
• Sliced red peppers
• Lemon Slices 
• 1 tablespoon butter, divided

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and prepare 2 large sheets of foil by spraying with PAM. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter on each foil piece.
• Place fillets in center of each foil. Sprinkle with some spices e.g. thyme and Old Bay Seasoning. Cube potatoes and spread around fish with sliced red peppers.
• Lay two slices of lemon on top of each fillet. Bring sides up of foil to encase each fillet.
• Bake for 25 minutes. Remove Mahi Mahi and check on potatoes-they need to be fork tender so may ned a few minutes longer cooking time.

Spinach Orzo Salad with Lemon Dressing 

Cook's Notes: Salad serves 3-4 and allow one hour for chilling salad.

Orzo Salad Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry orzo
• 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter 
• 3 cups torn spinach leaves, stems removed
• 1/2 cup each diced grape tomatoes and cucumbers 
• 1 teaspoon each dill and parsley
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese or Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• In a saucepn bring salted water, broth, butter or olive oil with orzo to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and cook 7 minutes uncovered.
• Drain and rinse orzo using a strainer, place in a large bowl. Stir in spinach leaves while orzo is still warm. Add in spices, tomatoes, pine nuts and cucumbers, set aside.

Lemon Dressing Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons virgin olive oil
• 4 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 shallot chopped

Lemon Dressing Directions:

• In a blender place all ingredients and mix well. Taste test to balance ingredients. Mix in dressing just until orzo salad is moistened. Refrigerate 1 hour. Add more dressing if needed. Top with cheese.
• Optional zest lemon over top of salad.  

On December 1 I wrote about Purposeful Acts of Kindness
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/12/purposeful-acts-of-kindness.html with some ideas on how easy it is to Pay It Forward

February 17th is a day set aside nationwide to bring attention to the public of the need for kindness. We  are still in the midst of a COVID crisis. It's a time to focus on those things one can control and look at what one can do to help others. Find ways to brighten someone's day. Here are some ideas to jump start the day. 

• Tweet or send someone a FB message of thanks or compliment.
• Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.
• Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.
• Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.
• Shovel your neighbor's sidewalk or driveway.
• Walk your friend’s dog.
• Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.
• Send someone a small gift anonymously.
• Let someone go in front of you at the store or queue at the bank.
• Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.
• Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.
• Give a generous tip to someone when they least expect it.
• Hold the door open for someone rushing to get in.
• Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.
• Write a note of appreciation.
• Pick up some rubbish in the road or yard which would otherwise be lying around.
• Give another driver your parking spot.
• Be more courteous to merging traffic.
• Help an elderly neighbor put out their garbage cans curbside and/or shovel snow.
• Tell a family member how much your appreciate them.
• Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train / bus/airport.
• Buy an inspirational book for a friend.
• Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.
• Smile a lot. And a "thank you" goes a long way!