It is so beautiful right now, but in a few hours it is going to be dark...
It's always difficult getting used to early darkness, although it is not really ever very cold in San Diego like some places! The big dilemma is whether to cook outside or inside. The recipe below is good inside or out. My favorite is tuna on the grill, but Mahi Mahi or swordfish are also fantastic.
I really love the rice they serve in Lake Como, it has so much flavor and really brings out the subtle flavors of their lake fish. Here's a quick version. I normally cook arborio or some other short grain rice in abundant water until al dente (just like pasta) but it takes about 18 minutes. You can use long grain rice if you must! Rinse after cooking, then add juice from a lemon, a little butter and fresh grated Parmesan. Garnish the plate with some freshly picked flat leaf parsley.

MARINATED FISH

We love eating fish, luckily we live close to the Pacific Ocean. Here’s a great marinade you can use over and over and never get tired of. You can grill, broil or pan-fry this recipe. I love the ease of using my cast iron grill pan, but in the summer, the BBQ is king. If you’re using the grill, try one of the darker fishes like mahi-mahi or tuna, otherwise any firm fish will do.

1 lb firm fish

¼ cup olive oil

1 cup white wine

½ white onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

½ teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf, crumbled

salt and pepper

Mix all the marinade ingredients in a glass dish large enough to hold the fish. Add the fish, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour but preferable two hours, turn fish once.

Bring the fish out to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. Heat your grill, pan or broiler and cook fish basting with marinade. Try to turn fish only once during cooking. Serve immediately.

This is so good you are going to want to jump out of your chair and kiss the cook, but restrain yourself and have a glass of wine (since you have already opened a bottle for the marinade), finish your meal then…….smother the chef with affection!

Note: If you are serving more than two, this recipe doubles very easily. Buon Appetito!