Creamy Mahi Mahi Alfredo with Sweet Crab Delight
Indulge in this luxurious and luscious Creamy Mahi Mahi Alfredo with Sweet Crab Delight, a dish that transports you to a tropical paradise with every bite. The rich and creamy alfredo sauce, made with nonfat half-and-half for a lighter touch, is infused with a hint of aromatic garlic and accented by the fresh taste of basil. Nestled atop succulent mahi mahi fillets and complemented with real crab meat, this entrée delivers a sublime flavor experience. Paired with a vibrant medley of steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, this gastronomic masterpiece is not just a meal; it's a journey of the senses. Perfectly suitable for special occasions or an indulgent weekday dinner, this step-by-step recipe may look intricate but is quite accessible, ensuring that anyone can cook their way to epicurean bliss.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1.5 tablespoons (Melted)
Flour
1.5 tablespoons (Unbleached, for thickening sauce)
Fat-free half-and-half
1 cup (Pour into the sauce gradually)
Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons (Grated)
Minced garlic
0.5 teaspoon (Finely chopped)
Pepper
1 dash (To taste)
Canned crabmeat
6 ounces (Drain and divide in half)
Olive oil
1/4 cup (For drizzling over fish)
Fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon (Minced)
Fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon (Squeezed from a lemon)
Garlic
1 small clove (Minced)
Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon (To taste)
Ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (To taste)
Mahi mahi fillets
1.5 lbs (Cut into 6-ounce pieces)
Basil leaves
As needed (Julienned for garnish)
Instructions
1
To begin, prepare the Alfredo sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2
Once melted, gradually whisk in the flour until you form a smooth paste. Slowly add the fat-free half-and-half, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
3
Continue to cook while whisking until the sauce becomes hot and slightly thickened, approximately 3-5 minutes. For a thicker sauce, cook a little longer.
4
Next, gradually introduce the Parmesan cheese, whisking until fully melted and integrated. Stir in the minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes.
5
Remove the sauce from heat and gently fold in half of the canned crab meat. Keep the sauce warm on low heat, stirring occasionally.
6
Preheat your broiler to high while you prepare the fish. Cut four 6x8-inch pieces of aluminum foil and place one mahi mahi fillet in the center of each piece.
7
Fold the edges of the foil to create a shallow rectangle, forming a small packet. Place these packets onto a baking sheet.
8
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced basil, lemon juice, additional minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Drizzle this mixture over the fish fillets in the foil packets.
9
Broil the fish for about 6 minutes, turning the fillets halfway through, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
10
To serve, transfer the mahi mahi fillets to individual plates. Generously spoon the creamy Alfredo sauce over each fillet and garnish with the remaining crab meat and fresh, julienned basil leaves. Finish with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of decadence. Serve promptly with your favorite vegetable medley for a beautiful meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Mahi Mahi Alfredo with Sweet Crab Delight?
It is a luxurious seafood dish featuring mahi mahi fillets topped with a creamy Alfredo sauce made from fat-free half-and-half and real crab meat, garnished with fresh basil.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
The recipe uses 1.5 lbs of mahi mahi cut into 6-ounce pieces, which typically yields 4 servings.
What are the ingredients for the Alfredo sauce?
The sauce consists of butter, unbleached flour, fat-free half-and-half, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Can I use regular half-and-half instead of fat-free?
Yes, you can substitute regular half-and-half for a richer, more traditional Alfredo flavor.
How do I prepare the mahi mahi for cooking?
Place individual fillets on 6x8-inch foil pieces, fold the edges to create a shallow rectangle packet, and drizzle with a mixture of olive oil, basil, lemon juice, and garlic.
How long should I broil the fish?
Broil the mahi mahi on high for approximately 6 minutes, turning the fillets halfway through the cooking process.
What type of crab meat is recommended?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces of canned crab meat, which should be drained and divided in half.
When do I add the crab meat to the sauce?
Fold half of the crab meat into the Alfredo sauce after it has thickened and been removed from the heat, and use the rest as a garnish.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
The recipe uses fat-free half-and-half to create a lighter version of a traditionally heavy cream sauce.
What should I serve as a side dish?
A vibrant medley of steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots is recommended to complement the dish.
How do I know when the mahi mahi is done?
The fish is ready when it becomes opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
While fresh basil provides the best aromatic experience, you can use dried basil in the marinade; however, fresh is preferred for the garnish.
What is the purpose of the foil packets?
The foil packets help contain the juices and marinade, keeping the fish moist during the high-heat broiling process.
How do I prevent lumps in the Alfredo sauce?
Gradually whisk the flour into the melted butter to form a smooth paste, then slowly add the half-and-half while stirring continuously.
Does this recipe contain pasta?
While named 'Alfredo,' this specific recipe serves the sauce and crab directly over fish fillets rather than pasta.
What type of salt is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for kosher salt for both the sauce and the fish seasoning.
Can I use fresh lemon juice?
Yes, the recipe recommends 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice squeezed directly from a lemon for the best flavor.
How is the final dish garnished?
Garnish with the remaining crab meat, julienned fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese.
Can I substitute mahi mahi with another fish?
Yes, other firm white fish like cod or halibut would work well with these flavors.
How much garlic is used in the sauce?
The sauce uses 0.5 teaspoon of finely chopped minced garlic.
Is the garlic in the fish marinade the same as the sauce?
The fish marinade uses 1 small clove of freshly minced garlic, distinct from the garlic used in the sauce.
Can I make the Alfredo sauce thicker?
Yes, simply cook the sauce a little longer while whisking until it reaches your desired consistency.
Is this a fast recipe to make?
Yes, the sauce takes about 5-7 minutes and the fish broils in only 6 minutes, making it quite efficient.
What is 'julienned' basil?
Julienned refers to cutting the fresh basil leaves into long, thin strips, often used for elegant garnishing.
Can I use frozen mahi mahi?
Yes, ensure the fillets are completely thawed and patted dry before placing them in the foil packets.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of olive oil for the herb drizzle that goes over the fish.
Is the flour used for the sauce bleached or unbleached?
The recipe specifies unbleached flour for thickening the Alfredo sauce.
What temperature should the broiler be set to?
The broiler should be set to the 'high' setting for cooking the fish.
Is the crab meat cooked into the sauce or served on top?
It is both; half is folded into the sauce and the remaining half is sprinkled on top as a garnish.
Should the fish be seasoned before broiling?
Yes, it is drizzled with a mixture of olive oil, basil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper before it enters the broiler.