Barbecue Marlin

• 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 4 (7-ounce) marlin fillets (or swordfish, tuna, or mahi mahi)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 jar barbecue sauce
• Spicy Yellow Rice with Red Beans, recipe follows
• Avocado Puree, recipe follows

Spicy Yellow Rice with Red Beans

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large red onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons ancho chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 cups long grain rice
• 4 cups water
• Pinch saffron, toasted and crumbled
• Salt
• 1 1/2 cup cooked red beans
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

Avocado Puree

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Spicy Yellow Rice with Red Beans

1. Combine the ancho chili powder, sugar, ground fennel, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper in a small bowl.
2. Sprinkle 1 side of the fish with about 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture.
3. Heat oil in a large sauté pan and sear the fish, spice-side down, until golden brown.
4. Turn the fish over and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Brush with the barbecue sauce, turn over, and cook for 30 seconds.
6. Turn over and brush with more of the sauce.
7. Keep warm. In the center of each of 4 dinner plates, place 2 heaping tablespoons of Spicy Yellow Rice with Red Beans.
8. Place a fish fillet on top of the rice at an angle.
9. On one side of the fillet, at the base of the mound of rice, place a dollop of Avocado Puree.

Spicy Yellow Rice with Red Beans

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onions and cook until soft.
3. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
4. Add the ancho, cumin, and cayenne and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add the rice and stir to coat each grain with the mixture.
6. Add the water and saffron, and salt, to taste.
7. Bring to a boil.
8. Cover the pot, lower the heat, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
9. Fold in the beans and green onions and re-season.

Avocado Puree

1. Place avocado and lime juice in a food processor and process until smooth.
2. Add the honey and pulse 3 times.
3. Add the cilantro and pulse until just combined.