Throughout the 1980s, my family vacationed in Cozumel, off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. This recipe was one of our favorite local dishes prepared by the descendants of the Mayan Indians. Corn, peppers, and limes are all native to the New World and were likely cultivated by the ancient Mayans much as they are today. Spice up this dish with red pepper flakes or chopped chiles. Try a white, flaky fish such as cod, flounder, or sole. Or try a slightly meatier white fish like Oreo Dory, tilapia, mahi mahi, or snapper. Either fresh or frozen fish fillets work fine. This recipe is also wonderful with seafood such as shrimp or with thin slices of flank steak or pork.

　　

Ingredients

serves 2

　　Canola oil spray

　　1/2 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced

　　3/4 cup quinoa

　　1 cup broth (chicken or vegetable) or water

　　1/2 to 3/4 pound fish fillets

　　Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　1/2 lemon, sliced in 1/4-inch rounds

　　1/2 lime, sliced in 1/4-inch rounds

　　1/2 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices

　　1/2 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices

　　1/2 medium yellow or orange bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices

　　10 to 14 ounces corn, fresh, frozen, or canned (drained)

　　4 to 6 small tomatoes, sliced

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

　　

Step 2

Spray the inside and lid of a cast-iron Dutch oven with canola oil.

　　

Step 3

Scatter the onion over the bottom of the pot.

　　

Step 4

Add the quinoa and pour in the liquid, then stir to settle the grains evenly. Add the fish and lightly season with salt and pepper.

　　

Step 5

Alternate the lemons and limes in a single layer on top of the fish. Top with the bell pepper slices and lightly season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle on the corn. Layer the tomato slices on top and season lightly with salt and pepper.

　　

Step 6

Cover and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until 3 minutes after the aroma of a fully cooked meal escapes the oven. Serve immediately.

　　

nutrition information

Step 7

Calories: 442

　　

Step 8

Protein: 29g

　　

Step 9

Carbohydrates: 70g

　　

Step 10

Fat: 7g

　　

Step 11

Cholesterol: 37g

　　

Step 12

Sodium: 177mg

　　

Step 13

Fiber: 9g

　　Glorious One-Pot Meals