Pan-Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Puerto Rican Mojo Isleño (Islander Sauce)

The signature sauce of Puerto Rico, mojo isleño is made with simple, fresh ingredients, including tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, garlic, olives, and capers, along with an acid such as vinegar or lemon juice.

Some recipes call for tomato sauce, but I think fresh tomatoes cooked down to a chunky texture add flavor and richness that you just can’t get in runny canned sauces. That means this accompaniment for the fish is thick—more like a relish than a sauce. If you prefer a runnier consistency, add a little vegetable broth toward the end of cooking.

And if you can’t find mahi-mahi, another thick, meaty fish—such as yellow-fin tuna or swordfish—will hold up well in the grill pan.

Serves 2 (easily doubled)

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for brushing and drizzling
• 1/2 cubanelle pepper, chopped
• 1/4 small onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise (or cherry tomatoes, quartered lengthwise)
• 2 tbsp finely chopped green olives
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp capers, rinsed and coarsely chopped
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 5-oz. mahi-mahi filets about 1/2-inch thick each

Mojo Isleno Ingredients

Preparation

1. Heat a small, nonstick saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the pepper and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, 3-4 minutes.

Pepper and Onion Beginning to Cook

1. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute.
2. Add the tomatoes, olives, vinegar, and capers and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a light simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook slowly until the tomatoes have broken down to a chunky consistency, 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Remaining Ingredients Added 

Cooked Sauce 

Mojo Isleno

1. Meanwhile, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with olive oil. Season the mahi-mahi with salt and pepper and grill until lightly charred and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.

Mahi-Mahi Ready to Grill 

Fish Beginning to Grill

To serve, place 1 piece of fish on each of 2 plates and divide the sauce on top of and around each. Drizzle all with a little olive oil and serve right away.