Basil Crusted Swordfish with Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes

5 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Sweet Spicy Marinated Tomatoes recipe by Barefeet In The Kitchen

When I saw swordfish on the list of ingredients for the Tabasco 10 Ingredient Challenge, my mind starting racing with ideas for it. Our recipe index is filled with great ways to cook different varieties of fish, but I wanted something really different this time.

I’m giving you three recipes today! If you aren’t a fish lover, these Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes are for you. This is one of the most versatile summer vegetable recipes I make.

I’ve tossed them into pastas and salads, served them as a side dish on their own, and I’ve turned them into a bruschetta topping as well. They were delicious as a topping for both of the swordfish recipes.

Save The Recipe

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email and I’ll send this recipe right to your inbox! Plus, I’ll send you new recipes every week!

Basil Crusted Swordfish comes together in just a few minutes and results in a perfectly crisp crust, without drying out the fish at all. The fresh basil flavor really comes through and the hint of heat from the Tabasco works well with it.

This is a great meal to make for 2-3 people, with very little advance planning required.

Spicy Cilantro Grilled Swordfish starts with a simple, fresh marinade and finishes with just 5-6 minutes on the grill. The cilantro and Tabasco flavors aren’t overwhelming and they are a great match for the sweet and spicy tomatoes.

COOK’S NOTE: Feel free to increase the recipe as you like. This is a small batch recipe and it will make plenty of tomatoes for topping the swordfish. We like to snack on the tomatoes though and so, I have doubled and tripled this recipe and it works great. The tomatoes are excellent tossed into salads and served as a side dish as well.

Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes
Yield: 1 ½ cups tomatoes
(printable recipe)

8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 large basil leaves, sliced very thin

Combine the tomatoes, Tabasco sauce, oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir to coat thoroughly. Add the basil and toss again. Allow to rest on the counter for at least half an hour before serving, or as long as all day, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes will produce more liquid for the marinade the longer they rest. Enjoy!

 

Basil Crusted Swordfish with Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes recipe by Barefeet In The Kitchen

COOK’S NOTE: For the breadcrumbs, I used 2 thick slices of leftover Brioche, cut into cubes and dried out overnight. A few pulses in the food processor reduced it to crumbs. I recommend “refined” coconut oil for the cooking, because it is both unscented and flavorless. It can also withstand a high temperature for cooking.

Basil Crusted Swordfish
Yield: 2 servings
(printable recipe)

(2) 4-6 ounce swordfish fillets
3 tablespoons light flavored olive oil
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup breadcrumbs
10 basil leaves, sliced very thin and then minced
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons refined coconut oil, or the cooking oil of your choice

Place the swordfish in a large Ziploc bag. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Seal the bag and press gently to thoroughly coat and distribute spices. Let the fish sit on the counter for 10-20 minutes to absorb the light marinade.

Melt the coconut oil in a large non-stick skillet on the stove, over medium high heat. Stir together the breadcrumbs, basil, and the remaining salt and pepper. Place a few tablespoons of the breadcrumb mixture on a small plate and press one of the fish fillets into the crumbs, turn and sprinkle more crumbs on top as needed. Make sure all sides of the fillet are generously coated. Repeat with the second fillet.

When the oil is hot, add the coated fillets to the hot oil. Cook approximately 2 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate and top with Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes. Enjoy!

Spicy Cilantro Grilled Swordfish with Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes recipe by Barefeet In The Kitchen

COOK’S NOTE: If you have a mortar and pestle, this is a great time to use it. Muddling the cilantro will release more of the fragrance and oil than simply chopping it. If you don’t have one, don’t stress it, just mince the cilantro and combine with the other marinade ingredients. This recipe can easily be multiplied to serve more people.

Spicy Cilantro Grilled Swordfish
Yield: 2-3 servings
(printable recipe)

2-3 small swordfish fillets, about 1 inch thick

Marinade Ingredients:
¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped, about 2 tablespoons worth
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup Tabasco sauce
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the cilantro, 1 tablespoon of oil, the salt and the pepper in a small bowl and muddle to crush and break up the cilantro. Stir in the remaining olive oil and Tabasco sauce. Place the swordfish in a large Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal and gently squeeze to coat. Place in the refrigerator and allow it to marinate for 2- 4 hours.

Preheat the grill to medium high. When the grill is hot, lightly brush oil on the grill grates, so the fish won’t stick to them. Cook the fillets 3 minutes on each side, until the fish is opaque, it shouldn’t be clear at all. Splash with additional Tabasco as desired while grilling. The fish should flake easily with a fork. Take care not to overcook, as the fish will dry out. Remove to a plate and top with Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes. Enjoy!

Sweet and Spicy Marinated Tomatoes recipe by Barefeet In The Kitchen

 

Disclosure: I was compensated by Tabasco to develop these recipes and participate in their challenge. All opinions are 100% my own.

Filed under: , , ,

Tagged with:

Share this Article

PinYummly

Related Posts

Mary Younkin

Mary Younkin

Hi, I’m Mary. I’m the author, cook, photographer, and travel lover behind the scenes here at Barefeet In The Kitchen. I'm also the author of three cookbooks dedicated to making cooking from scratch as simple as possible.

Reader Interactions

5 Comments Leave a comment or review

    Rate & Comment

  1. Anonymous says

    OH MY GOODNESS! I saw "Swordfish" and squealed to myself (I'm alone too). Mary, many thanks for your racing mind! Consider this masterpiece PINNED and SAVED! Have a beautiful day.

  2. Chris says

    I'll pass on the fish, I just don't care for fish. But those tomatoes, those sound fantastic and I bet they would go phenomenally well with Italian grilled chicken!