Cocoa powder transforms both savory and sweet dishes. Its luxurious earthiness adds depth to proteins, like the fish in this recipe. Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder; swapping out the benne seeds with sesame seeds and maple sugar with light brown sugar is fine. Any variety of hot chile flakes works here, too. Other fish fillets, such as wild Alaskan salmon or snapper, can be substituted for catfish.
Cocoa–Orange Fish
Recipe by Nicole Taylor
Ingredients
For the cocoa rub
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons benne seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon dried bird’s eye chile flakes
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons maple sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
For the fish
- 1 pound oranges (about 2 medium)
- 2 pounds US-raised catfish fillets
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- TO MAKE THE RUB: In a large bowl, combine all of the rub ingredients and mix well. This seasoning can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container.
- TO PREPARE THE FISH: Slice the oranges into 12 slices and set aside.
- Adjust the oven rack to the top position and preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Carefully rinse the fish and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Place the fish on a large sheet pan and liberally sprinkle both sides with the rub. Drizzle with the oil, then place the orange slices on top of the catfish fillets.
- Place the sheet pan on the top rack and roast until the catfish is moist and gently flakes, about 8 minutes. (If using a thicker variety of fish such as salmon, the cooking time will be about 12 minutes.)
Notes
Reprinted with permission from BLACK FOOD: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora edited by Bryant Terry, copyright © 2021. Published by 4 Color Books, an imprint of Ten Speed Press and Penguin Random House. Photographs copyright © 2021 Oriana Koren.