Pan Seared Mahi Mahi over Sticky Coconut “Rice” with Mango Salsa
I’m obsessed with the show Parks and Recreation. I understand it’s not a new show and I’m late to the party, but I don’t even care. I still constantly watch The Office like I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s just not the same knowing the show comes to an end. So now I have Parks & Rec AND all of the past episodes are on Netflix so I can binge watch whenever I damn well please. Like yesterday.
Yesterday was a funky day. It was sunny, then it was cloudy, then it was sunny again. I had a great lunch with my friend Dom and all was well. But my negative attitude caught up to me when I decided to pick up my boyfriend jeans that I had altered at Nordstrom. The thing that sucks about having them altered there is that when you pick them up, the seamstress (right word?) isn’t there like they would be at a normal alterations place. So I picked mine up from Nordstrom, slid them on, and was like “what the fuuuuu”. I swear they haven’t been altered whatsoever. Nothing is different. You can still fit an entire sneaker in the waist, which was my issue before. You see, I alter probably 90% of my jeans and shorts and skirts. I have a smaller waist and child bearing hips, so I pay good money so get things altered. And I was pumped when I bought a couple pairs of jeans at Nordstrom and needed only 1 pair to be altered AND they alter for free. But I guess you get what you pay for there…because I got nothing. Expect a new pocket to smuggle drugs across boarders. Please don’t take that seriously.
Thankfully after my jeans experience, I had a good day in the kitchen. If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been cooking less for my website recently. I swear I’m not being lazy, I’m just working on a new, fun project in the process. So more time is going to that project. Luckily, I made muffins for the second time for my project and they came out perfect. THEN I made this dish and it was exactly what I wanted. SO, life was good. But my attitude still blew chunks. I tried working out and watching more Parks & Rec, which definitely helped a little bit, but it wasn’t perfection UNTIL I warmed up a homemade two tone cookie that I made a couple days ago for my project and topped it off with some paleo ice cream. BOOM. Life is wonderful again.
You know what else has helped? Eating some of Steve’s Paleo Goods new cinnamon nut butter on top of dark chocolate. It’s a beauty. Sometimes, all you need is chocolate.
Guess what?? Today is a super fun day! I’m working with Inspyre Boutique in town to try on some of their newest clothes and accessories! This Friday, my post will be about the outfits I tried on, how they paired different things together and made me think outside the box with my own style, and how I accessorized there. And then the outfit I chose! I’ll be posting all about it on my Fashion Friday post this week. I may even have a special gift for all your Fashion Friday readers so stay tuned!
OH! And don’t forget my latest giveaway!! It ends tomorrow! Sign up ASAP!!
PrintPan Seared Mahi Mahi over Sticky Coconut “Rice” with Mango Salsa
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
For the salsa
- 1 mango, peeled and diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
- 1 avocado, peeled and diced
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 teaspoon of coarse sea salt
For the rice
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 head cauliflower, stem removed, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup canned coconut milk or coconut cream (I used coconut cream)
- pinch of salt
- ¼ cup unsweetended shredded coconut
For the fish
- 2 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil if you don’t do dairy)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 pieces of mahi mahi
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- cilantro, to garnish
- unsweetened shredded coconut, to garnish
Instructions
- Mix together salsa ingredients and place in fridge.
- Add chopped cauliflower to a food processor with the shredding attachment to “rice” the cauliflower.
- Place over large pot over medium heat, add coconut oil then add riced cauliflower. Add coconut milk/cream along with a little salt. Mix together to incorporate and let cook for 10-12 minutes or until soft. Once soft, add shredded coconut, mix, then turn down heat to low to keep warm.
- Add a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add butter and olive oil. Once very hot, pat mahi mahi dry and salt on both sides, then add to the pan and cook on both sides for 5-7 minutes. Do not crowd pan because that will make the fish steam instead of getting a nice crust on both sides. Cook in batches, if needed.
- Place mahi mahi on top of coconut rice, top with mango salsa and garnish with cilantro and shredded coconut.
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You May Also Like:
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47 thoughts on “Pan Seared Mahi Mahi over Sticky Coconut “Rice” with Mango Salsa”
Love using Cauliflower for all sorts of things like that. YUM!
★★★★★
I super-heart Parks and Rec! So excited you get to watch it all for the first time.
Can’t wait to try this recipe! Side note: cauliflower and I are not friends – would using a carrot mash ruin the flavor balance/ is there a decent sub?
Thanks!
I haven’t watched many episodes of Parks and Recreations but I love The Office!
Anyway, I still haven’t tried cauliflower rice but it looks like something I would like. Mahi mahi is one of my favorite types of fish and I think this looks absolutely delicious!
Haven’t done cauliflower rice in a while but making it sticky sounds yummy 🙂 Great combo for mahi mahi.
Definitely want to try that cinnamon nut butter, love steve’s stuff 🙂
Sounds awesome. How much salsa does this yield?
#TeamSwanson
around 3 cups
Man, making this next week for sure! BTW, your new cookbook is AWESOME.
We totally started watching Parks and Rec late (like a couple months ago). Burned through 6 seasons VERY quickly. It’s hilarious!!!!
I just made an extremely similar recipe yesterday (but AIP)… Mango Mahi Coconut Soup with Plantain Fritter Croutons. It was exactly what I needed to get me out of my sucky mood too!
★★★★★
yummmmm
Sticky rice that isn’t rice…so good!
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Will it still taste good if I omit the coconut?
yep!
YUM, mahi mahi! I’ll pretty much eat anything with mango salsa on it, but between that and the coconut rice, I am totally sold on this dish.
Also — I have also recently discovered Parks and Rec. No idea where I have been for the past five years.
This looks awesome can’t wait to make it. On a side note…I have made the banana bread from the new book and love the flavor. However, it seems to overflow everytime I make it….any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong.
Maybe you need a bigger or deeper bread pan? I’ve never had that issue
Sure
This looks really good… I would never think to put coconut in my cauliflower rice but it’s worth a try! I’m a little hesitant to do pan seared fish because I nearly burned down my place last time I tried with tuna. I think the pan was too hot and everything just got really smoky. Any suggestions on keeping smoke level to a minimum?
LOVE it!!!!!!! I am definitely cooking this weekend!! Thanks, Juli
★★★★★
I was in a pissy mood yesterday too – I was wondering if it was some kind of weird continental thing, since I am in Rhode Island and not anywhere near where you are. We had the same manic-depressive sort of weather yesterday, which probably didn’t help. I finally had some chocolate too – you’re right; chocolate does make everything better. Probably not on top of mahi mahi, though.
Any other suggestions for a “rice”. I’m not a fan of cauliflower. But I love the idea of using a veggie as a rice.
haven’t riced other veggies
Looking forward to try the sticky coconut rice. I make lots of thai dishes and serve them usually over cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash. This looks more like the real thing. Thanks Juli
This looks great, and I love that it’s a complete meal! Usually I don’t mind planning out what should go with what…but sometimes I just don’t want to worry about it, you know? And thanks for sharing a new recipe on your site! I feel like you’ve been such a tease with all the amazing food you’ve been making for this project you’ve got in the works…can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up!
And, yes! Parks & Rec is hilarious! Love that show!
I absolutely love you and your recipes! Looove the new cookbook as well. I’m looking into buying a food processor (I know ridiculous I dont have one yet and I aint waiting till Christmas! ) haha but I was wondering if you have any suggestions for a brand you prefer or ones that are worth investing in?
I love working on Parks & Rec. They do so much improv it’s hard to keep a straight face when you’re supposed to though! Thanks for this coconut rice idea! Love it!
you get to work on Parks and Rec??! I would die laughing watching that all go down
Juli, I joined your email list a few months ago and I casually read your posts from time to time. And I must say, every time I do, you bring a smile to my face. You have such a fun, light-hearted and honest way about you. Always a joy to read your posts. I appreciate you and good luck to you on your project!
Swan
Replaced the ‘rice’ with actual rice – very good.
I made this on Friday night and looooooved it. Not because I love mahi mahi (which I do) and mango salsa (like obv.), but because my Bermudian husband who hates fish LOVED THIS. Yes, he grew up on an island and hates seafood. Yet, this meal he LOOOOOVED.
Thank you Juli for making my kitchen seafood friendly again (insert choir of angels here).
★★★★★
Made this with tilapia (because that’s what we had) and it was sooooooooo good. My husband had never had mango salsa before and it blew his mind!
★★★★★
I made this last night and it was greatness. I loved it. Tasted like I was at the beach. Mmmm-mmmmm!
Mahi is such an incredible tasting fish, even better when combined with the mango salsa.
When I was in Hawaii this was one of my favorite meals! The fresher the fish, the better…
★★★★★
This was AMAZING. Didn’t have a mango so used hard (not yet totally ripe) kiwi and the salsa was still really good. Love the coconut rice. This will become a well used recipe. Thank you!
★★★★★
this was killlerrrrrr <3 so healthy, incredible, fresh, and nutrient packed. thank you! we used swordfish instead and it was still delish. this will be a go-to quick meal now! <3
★★★★★
I made the cauliflower rice portion of this recipe and it was BOMB! So freakin delicious! The only thing I changed was the amount of salt. I upped the amount from just a pinch to 1/2 tsp of himalayan salt.
★★★★★
Would you be able to pick this “rice” up in little balls, do you think? I’m planning to make a certain thai dish which you normally eat with little balls of sticky rice and I’m trying to find an alternative. This recipe is looking really promising!
no sadly not
I made the cauliflower rice to go with some jerk chicken. It was pretty decent. I would make it again when I’m looking to add an island flair to my side dish. I didn’t have the shredded coconut so I omitted it and it still tasted good.
This recipe is absolutely amazing!
Hi! Have you tried freezing individual servings of this for future meals? I’m always looking for new lunch ideas to make on meal prep day! Thanks!
no, i haven’t. me and my husband tend to eat our food pretty quickly. BUT my friend cassy is coming out with a cookbook soon (and i helped out with the fitness section) that has all freezer friendly meals! here’s the link to preorder it and it comes out in just a couple weeks! https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Fit-Fitness-Jump-Start-Squeaky-Clean/dp/1628601035/
I didn’t make the rice, but the fish and salsa were delicious!! Great recipe, Juli!
glad you liked it jill!
This was amazing! Due to user error, the “rice” was more of a mashed potato consistency but the flavor was still there. My husband said he felt like we were dining at a restaurant. That’s how good this recipe is. I track my calories and macros and appreciate that everything is broken down for you. This will be in our rotation of regular dinners. 🙂
★★★★★
oh no haha! glad you still liked the recipe!!