Grilled Swordfish Kebabs With Golden Raisin Chimichurri

Name: Grilled Swordfish Kebabs With Golden Raisin Chimichurri
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds swordfish steaks (at least 1 1/2 inches thick), skinned and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks; 12 bay leaves (preferably fresh); 2 lemons, halved lengthwise and then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices, seeds removed, plus 1 whole lemon for squeezing; Coarse sea salt and ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano; Extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup golden raisins; 1 cup boiling water; 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, washed, shaken dry and stemmed; 1/4 cup stemmed fresh oregano; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar, or to taste; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

Recipe from Michael Schwartz

Adapted by Steven Raichlen

Grilled Swordfish Kebabs With Golden Raisin Chimichurri — Rikki Snyder for The New York Times

Total Time: 30 minutes
Rating: 4(187)
Notes: Read community notes

Swordfish is the perfect seafood for grilling — the flesh is sturdy and firm, with a mild flavor that readily absorbs the aroma of smoke without losing its own. Most people grill swordfish as steaks; the Miami chef Michael Schwartz cuts it into chunks for kebabs, a format that allows him to intersperse the chunks of fish with lemon slices and bay leaves, and grills them over wood (though you could use charcoal or, if necessary, grill over gas). The tips of the bay leaves char, imparting a fragrant herbal smoke. By way of a sauce, Mr. Schwartz serves a classic Argentine chimichurri with a not-so-classic twist — the addition of yellow raisins, which counter the traditional garlic and vinegar with an unexpected note of sweetness. If swordfish is unavailable, use another sturdy fish, like tuna or mako shark. —Steven Raichlen

Featured in: Grilling Turns Back to an Ancient Fuel: Wood

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

For the Kebabs

2pounds swordfish steaks (at least 1½ inches thick), skinned and cut into 1½-inch chunks
12bay leaves (preferably fresh)
2lemons, halved lengthwise and then cut crosswise into ¼-inch slices, seeds removed, plus 1 whole lemon for squeezing
Coarse sea salt and ground black pepper
2tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
Extra-virgin olive oil

For the Golden Raisin Chimichurri

½cup golden raisins
1cup boiling water
¾cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1bunch flat-leaf parsley, washed, shaken dry and stemmed
¼cup stemmed fresh oregano
1tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2cloves garlic, minced
3tablespoons sherry vinegar, or to taste
2tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½teaspoon red-pepper flakes

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
Make the kebabs: Thread the swordfish, bay leaves and lemon slices alternately onto flat bamboo or metal skewers. Arrange in a nonreactive baking dish. Season the kebabs on all sides with salt and pepper. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon over them. Sprinkle with oregano and drizzle with olive oil. Turn the kebabs a few times to coat with the flavorings and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, make the chimichurri: Place the raisins in a heatproof mixing bowl. Pour boiling water over them and stir in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Let raisins soak for 15 minutes.
Step 3
Finely chop parsley, oregano, thyme and garlic in a food processor. Gradually work in ¾ cup olive oil, sherry vinegar, lemon juice, red-pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste; the chimichurri should be highly seasoned.
Step 4
Drain raisins well and add them to the chimichurri. Pulse the processor a few times to mix, but leave the raisins mostly whole. Transfer ¾ cup of the chimichurri to a small bowl for basting, and transfer the rest to a serving bowl.
Step 5
Meanwhile, build a wood fire in your grill with a hot zone for searing and a medium zone for cooking. (You can do the same with charcoal. If you’re using a gas grill, place a few hardwood chunks between the Flavorizer bars or over the burners. Heat one burner on high heat and additional burners on medium heat, adjusting the heat as necessary.) Brush and oil the grill grate.
Step 6
Arrange the kebabs over the hot fire and grill until the fish is browned and sizzling and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side, 8 to 12 minutes in all. Move kebabs to the medium zone if they start to burn. Baste with a little of the reserved chimichurri as the kebabs cook.
Step 7
Serve the kebabs with the remaining chimichurri on the side for spooning over the fish.

Ratings

4 out of 5

187 user ratings

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Cooking Notes

LF6 years ago

These were delicious. The chimichurri needs substantial modifications though. I largely followed the recipe but the parsley/oil ratio was way off. Ended up using about 2.5 cups of chopped parsley and drizzled in about 1/3 cup of oil (more than that would have been too oily). I adjusted sherry vinegar and lemon juice to taste and added salt. The golden raisins really made this. Also didn't baste with the chimichurri, just used it as a sauce. It was a huge hit.

AC6 years ago

No Raisins Cilantro for parsley Curry leaves for bay

Max Alexander, Rome, Contestant MasterChef Italia 2020-20213 years ago

If you have access to a lemon tree, fresh lemon leaves are a nice option instead of bay leaves.

CG3 years ago

Used cilantro instead of parsley and cooked under the broiler because we ran out of gas for our grill. Absolutely delicious.

andrea2 years ago

This dish came out amazing. I swapped dried Oregano bc I didn’t have fresh and it was just fine. Grilled these on a small gas grill covered w foil and they grilled beautifully.

Christina10 months ago

The chimicurri is the best I’ve ever had. Delicious with the swordfish.

JDF2 years ago

This recipe is amazing and forgiving! I always try to make the recipe as is the first time, but only had dried bay leaves and didn’t use. Didn’t have enough fresh oregano (mine had gone to flower, but used it anyway) and took the recommendations and added mint. So good!!!!!

Justine2 years ago

Even though I made quite a few changes, I really liked this recipe and I think it’s quite versatile/adaptable. I broiled the skewers because I don’t have a grill. I skipped the bay leaves because I didn’t have any. I made the chimichuri with cilantro and mint because I am not a big fan of parsley. I served this with a farro, tomato and cucumber salad and it made a great meal.

Sheri2 years ago

Delicious recipe….don’t omit the raisins. They make the sauce. I also used less oil. Rather than measure, I tasted and added oil, and adjusted seasonings as it was in the food processor. It was too hot to grill outside so i broiled the fish in the oven. Came out perfectly.

Mercury alert2 years ago

Swordfish should not be eaten in any amount besides very sparingly due to its high mercury content.

Mostly Innaccurate2 years ago

According to most sources the amount of swordfish you'd have to consume before the mercury in it became a problem for your health is laughably high. You'd essentially need to be eating it as a main staple in your weekly diet.

Linda2 years ago

Sounds delicious, but for the insane price of swordfish. What is the best, lower cost alternative fish?

KS2 years ago

Swordfish is known to be very high in mercury, so it should be avoided. I’m anxious to try this version of chimichurri with another type of fish.

Ben C2 years ago

Swordfish is totally fine to eat in moderation unless you are a small child or pregnant woman.

Juarroz2 years ago

who can afford to buy swordfish? $25 a pound at our local discount supermarket.

anne2 years ago

Just purchased in the frozen section of Trader Joe's for $9.99/lb. Shhhh! Let's keep this secret between us!

andrea2 years ago

This dish came out amazing. I swapped dried Oregano bc I didn’t have fresh and it was just fine. Grilled these on a small gas grill covered w foil and they grilled beautifully.

First Time Making Swordfish Was A Hit!2 years ago

This came out so great. I made zero modifications and loved the chimichurri and the swordfish. I always have wanted to try cooking swordfish and this looked like a great recipe to make sure I was not overcooking or drying it out, and it was! It came out great. I definitely will make this again.

AG2 years ago

Made just the chimichurri and served over baked cod. I prepared the chimichurri mostly as written but reduced the oil as some have suggested. Such an excellent blend of flavors and beautiful. Highly recommend.

CG3 years ago

Used cilantro instead of parsley and cooked under the broiler because we ran out of gas for our grill. Absolutely delicious.

Abby3 years ago

1/3 cup oil and add 1 tablespoon capers if desired

Max Alexander, Rome, Contestant MasterChef Italia 2020-20213 years ago

If you have access to a lemon tree, fresh lemon leaves are a nice option instead of bay leaves.

Martha 20174 years ago

If your short on time, didn’t marinate, added broccoli florets and tossed all with oil, salt and Zatar. Used chimmichurri as a sauce. Great!

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