A Grill-Ready Swordfish Recipe, Complete With Summertime Wine
The perfect alfresco food and wine pairing, courtesy of the team at Grill 23 & Bar in Boston.
When temperatures are rising and everything’s coming into bloom, it’s time to move mealtime outdoors. When you’re dining al fresco, there are a few guidelines worth noting: Keep the recipes simple — most of the work should be in the prep and not the execution — and have a favorite, versatile wine on hand at all times.
We asked the team at Grill 23 & Bar in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood for an ideal summer recipe and wine pairing. Executive Chef Brian Kevorkian and Master Sommelier Brahm Callahan, who also is a Ribera y Rueda ambassador, returned with this fresh take on grilled swordfish, letting the savory flavors come through in a piquant caper relish alongside a bright Romesco sauce.
For sipping, Callahan says you can’t go wrong with Bodegas Naia’s Verdejo, Rueda 2014. “The swordfish is a meatier fish, and the weight of the Naia, which is more full-bodied, gives you a great texture pairing,” he says. “On top of that, the citrus notes in the Naia are mirrored in the citrus components of the dish. The refreshing acidity of the Naia also will cut through the richness of the caper relish beautifully.”
Both the dish and the wine are currently available at the restaurant, but if you can’t get to Boston soon, they were kind enough to share the recipe below. Get the grill and wine glasses ready.
This beauty in this recipe lies in the preparation—a quick marinade for the swordfish gives you plenty of time to prep the sauces before grilling the fish and serving it. Your local fishmonger can cut the swordfish steaks for you.
Serves four
Ingredients:
4 swordfish steaks, 8-10 ounces each
Marinade:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 sprigs oregano
2 sprigs parsley
Zest of 1 lemon
Pine nut relish:
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup dark raisins
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 Spanish onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup capers, drained
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 clove garlic, grated on a Microplane or very finely minced
Zest and juice from 1 lemon
1/4 bunch parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Romesco sauce:
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 can sweet pimento pepper, seeds removed
1/4 cup toasted almonds
1 tomato, peeled and seeds removed
1/2 bunch parsley (leaves only)
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons (depending on preference of acidity)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Heat your grill to medium-high. While it warms, prepare the marinade. Combine extra virgin olive oil, oregano, parsley and lemon zest in a bowl and whisk together. Place swordfish steaks in a shallow baking dish and pour over marinade; marinate for no more than 45 minutes.
While swordfish marinates, prepare pine nut relish. Combine raisins, honey, sherry vinegar, onion, and water in a small sauté pan, and cook over medium heat until liquid is almost all gone, about 5 minutes. Let cool, then mix with capers, pine nuts, garlic, lemon zest and juice, parsley, salt, pepper, and olive oil. If mixture is too dense, add olive oil until you reach desired consistency.
Prepare Romesco sauce. Combine sliced garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan, and “sweat” over medium low heat until light brown. Place garlic in a blender or food processor, and add pimento pepper, toasted almonds, tomato, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, and blend until smooth. If mixture is too thick, add more olive oil until mixture resembles a fine purée.
Grill swordfish on medium-high heat for about four minutes a side. Thicker steaks may need a little more time. When ready, transfer to plates and serve with pine nut relish and Romesco.
