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It’s Thursday Tacos time. YES!
First though, we have to talk about my age.
Yeah, my age.
I am the very young age of nineteen, two years away from twenty-one.
Sometimes I feel odd posting recipes with alcohol in them because I am not legal. Sure, I am legally considered an adult, but I can not legally drink alcohol. And trust me, I don’t. You will never catch me with a margarita, spiked coffee, beer or even a glass of wine. I am being 100 percent honest when I say I do not drink. I have never even had a drink, unless you count those teensy tinesy sips of my dad’s beer that he would let me have when I was young.
Oh, I thought I was so cool when he would let me do that. Especially, if there were other people around. I mean they really were just the tiniest sips, but it made me feel all grown up and ahead of my years.
The truth is, I have always been ahead of my years. Too mature for my age. My entire life (even when I was a little baby, toddler and pre-schooler) people called me an old soul, which honestly freaks me out, but I must admit, it seems to fit.
Since I am being totally honest here, I decided that I would not drink in seventh grade when my friends were starting to dabble with the idea. I have older brothers, older brothers who did stupid things. I know what drinking can lead to and I know my personality. I like to know that my brain is my brain and it is not being influenced by any kind of substance. It is kind of like letting a good friend influence your decisions. I would not do that, I want to make decisions based on me and my needs, not those of someone or something else.
Does that make any sense at all?
With all that said, I absolutely LOVE cooking and baking with some booze!
For one, it is fun, but most importantly it adds great flavor. Bourbon makes one awesome glaze for corn fritters, irish cream is a great for doughnut fillings, beer braises some amazingly good pork, tequila makes some dang good chicken and is really great in doughnut glaze, frosting and filling too!
Okay, so I guess I really like some good booze in my eats…..
So what I am saying is, who cares if I am only nineteen?
Not me, not parents and hopefully not you guys.
Truthfully, I am mature to the point of being seriously boring. No, really I am so boring. Probably the most boring nineteen-year old you’ll ever meet. I have already graduated from college, worked in the exciting city of Los Angeles for a summer (six days a week, not the un-boring – I have a life – five days) yet somehow managed to never even be tempted by the “LA scene”. So much so that I decided it, even as glamorous as it was, that it wasn’t for me. I even have a decent savings, I mean what 19 year old has a decent savings? I know I should be out enjoying some of my hard earned loot but truthfully, this blog is way more important to me, even if it is pretty much non-stop twenty-four seven. My hope is, that this blog has added value to your eating habits. I also hope that it continues to do so for quite some time.
So, why am I telling you all this? I am being brutally honest because I have felt a little weird (and even more so because some of you have actually inquired) about posting recipes with alcohol in them and felt it was time to address the issue. For the most part, the amount of alcohol I am using my recipes is very minimal, unless it is a dish like the pulled pork carnitas, where there is a whole beer, but most of the beer cooks off during the 10 hours of cooking (seriously, by that time there is practically no alcohol left). And for this tequila soaked watermelon, I am also cooking the tequila first, granted not for very long though.
Okay, okay, okay.
Enough said on that subject, and enough seriousness! Let’s get to the stuff and have some fun!
K? Cool!
First let’s just talk about the tequila soaked watermelon-mango salsa.
Basically, it is just how is sounds. I soaked the watermelon for 30 minutes in a tequila simple syrup and it made for the very best salsa around. I mean SO good. Slightly sweet, completely refreshing and so flavorful. It is seriously, amazing! But of course if you are not into using tequila at all than the tequila can most definitely be left out.
No harm done, it is totally up to you.
If you like a little alcohol, I recommend it!
The sweet and refreshing watermelon and the mango + the coconut lime mahi mahi are just out of this world. The flavor combos are so simple, but so good! I mean coconut lime mahi mahi! Awe, it is just awesome and come on, how good does that sound with the tequila watermelon salas?!?
It is like summer’s perfect all-star taco and it’s easy peasy!
The only reason I am saying the meal takes 40 minutes it because you need to give the watermelon a little time to soak, otherwise it’s pretty quick. Just crisp up your taco shell in the oven (if using soft shells then just skip this step all together), grill or sear the fish, toss the salsa together and grab some cream cheese.
Yes, cream cheese. Just do it, it is so good!
Oh and if you’re not into mahi mahi you could totally do this with any white fish, shrimp or probably even salmon too!
I obviously can not control my excitement about the tacos. Maybe I am not as mature as I thought….. Nope, I am just crazy excited about these!
So you ready? Get set….
Coconut Lime Mahi Mahi Tacos with Tequila Soaked Watermelon Salsa
Servings: 8 Tacos
Calories Per Serving: 257 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Tequila Soaked Watermelon-Mango Salsa
- 1 1/2 cups watermelon cubed
- 3 tablespoons tequila
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 mango peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 jalapeno seeded if desired and chopped
- 3 green onions chopped
- 6 leaves basil julienned
- 1 lime juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Tacos
- 1 pound wild-caught skin on, Mahi Mahi
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- zest of 2 limes
- juice of 2 limes
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 8 corn tortilla's
- 6-8 oz cream cheese for serving
- 1 avocado sliced
Instructions
- Make the salsa. Place the watermelon in a medium size bowl. Bring the sugar, water and tequila to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly. Pour syrup over watermelon cubes and toss well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while you make the tacos. (You can skip this step and just leave out the tequila, water and sugar when making the salsa)
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Combine the 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, smoked paprika, chipotle chile powder, basil, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Invert a regular-sized muffin tin. Working with four tortillas at a time, microwave them for 1-2 minutes. Quickly brush with just a little of the seasoned coconut oil and then fold the tortillas gently and prop up between the bottom of 4 muffin cups. Bake at 450ºF for 5-7 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned. Repeat with remaining tortillas. You may also use a taco mold or just very carefully drap the tortillas over your oven rack.
- Heat the grill, grill pan or large frying pan to medium-high heat.
- Brush the Mahi Mahi with the remaining the seasoned coconut oil and grill or pan fry for 3 to four minutes per side. Remove, peel the skin away, chop into chunks and then drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil and lime juice.
- After 30 minutes remove the watermelon from the tequila and place in a clean bowl. Add the mango, jalopeno, green onions, basil, lime juice, salt and pepper. Toss well.
- To assemble the tacos spread a little cream cheese on the bottom of each taco shell, then fill with the flaked or chopped mahi mahi. Top with sliced avocado and the watermelon-mago salsa.
Go! Thursday night tacos!
The only word in this recipe I saw was tequila 🙂 I so want to try tequila and watermelon together.
Ha! It’s goood!! Thanks Kristi!
Calling today “Taco Thursday”.
I’m from Canada and the drinking age in my province is 19 years old so I didn’t give it a thought when your recipe called for tequila. Since I don’t drink, I’d omit it but my non-drinking status is the non-judgmental variety. Especially because you sound like you have a very good head on your shoulders, and well, 3 tablespoons of tequila will hardly result in a young adult going wingnut in the streets.
Thanks so much, Laura! What a nice comment. I do not drink any drinks, the most I do is 3 tablespoons, unless I am baking and the recipe call for more, but then I figure it is all getting baked out anyway!
I don’t do fish, so unfortunately, as amazing as this recipe looks and sounds, it may need a little modification on my end. But what I wanted to say was I had no clue you were only 19. You truly are wiser than your years, and I can relate to always feeling older. As a kid, I would’ve much rather talked to my mom’s friends than some of their kids that were my age. I just couldn’t relate and still really can’t. As an almost 30-y/o, I feel like I’m finally at the age I’ve been meaning to live forever. You are so lucky to already be a graduate with a good amount of savings and life under your belt! You have so much ahead of you!
And ps, i LOVE boozey food… amazing!
Wow, thanks so much Holly! That was such a nice comment! I am glad to read that I am not alone in feeling older than my age!
Oh and you can totally swap in chicken for the fish. Trust me, I did this for the non-fish eaters in the house. Still delicious!
Thanks again!
Ah, these look spectacular! I don’t cook with or drink alcohol but minus that little step, these are definitely making an appearance in my kitchen! Thanks girl! 🙂
Promise these are stille amazing without any tequila! I hope you love these!
Thanks Tiffany!
Totally repeating what everyone else has already said but I’ve never thought it was weird that you use alcohol (actually, I’m Canadian and the legal drinking age here is 19, I’ve always thought that 21 is ridiculous!) and I think you should keep on cooking the way you do because everything you make always sounds amazing, including these tacos!
Thanks so much, Natalie! Your comment was so nice and I loved reading it. I am so glad you like me recipe and the way I cook. That makes me so happy!
Thanks again!
I can’t believe you’re only 19. You’ve got some mad kitchen skills! Good for you staying away from alcohol. It’s great that you’re mature and responsible enough to make good decisions! As for your tacos, these flavors sound terrific! I love the coconut lime combo especially.
Ha! Thank you, Marcie!
Tieghan, I am totally amazed at your ability to cook, and write for someone so young! Your honesty too, is something to be proud of! Don’t ever change! Thank you for all the time you take with your postings. I look forward to reading all of them!
Oh my word these look divine! Watermelon tequila salsa? YES PLEASE!
Boozy watermelon salsa? YES FREAKING PLEASE!
Hehe! I know, right?! Thanks Chung-Ah!
I know, right!?!
Thanks Chung-Ah!
You better not change a thing about the way you cook! Still blown away that you are only 19 and so talented. Rock on girl!
Thank you so much, Erin!!
as much as I like spiked beverages AND foods AND popsicles, I’m a total lightweight. booze really is best in moderation! way to be so fiscally responsible! I cannot say that I was even close to having any savings at 19, ha!
Haha! Thank you, Cindy! I would think I would be a lightweight as well, since my mom can not even do a full beer without falling asleep! LOL
The fact that you are so young and have experienced so much is amazing! Your photography is wonderful too! This looks so good! I don’t like tequila, but I think I could eat this!
You do not even nee to use the tequila if it is not your not your thing. The salsa is stil great without!
Thank you so much, Lisa!
Tequila Soaked Watermelon-Mango Salsa = EVERYTHING about that I want. I love mango, melon, and well, tequila doenst hurt.
And coconut-lime. Another great pairing.
And your bit about alcohol and cooking…refreshing honesty and you went over and beyond the call in explaining yourself. I remember when I graduated college at 20 and I wasnt even legal to have a celebratory drink in the restaurant we went to after the commencement ceremony. Surreal. I love the way you cook – don’t change a thing 🙂
Thanks so much, Averie!
Totally with you in the not letting anything influence our minds. Tacos look amazing!
Thanks Nessa!
Booze in food (especially in the Summer) is just the right thing to do! These tacos… just perfect!
Haha! Thank you, Ashley!