For many beginner cooks, fish is one of the biggest fears out there. While you can really mess up some of the more complicated meals with fish and seafood, there are always those recipes that are completely fool-proof. So, if you’re looking to try out a few fast and easy fish dishes, here are some of the best recipes out there that everyone should know how to prepare.
1. Fast baked fish
If you’re ever in a rush but in dire need of a healthy and delicious meal, you can’t go wrong with baked fish. Having a nice supply of fish in your fridge will allow you to whip up this meal in less than half an hour and without too much hassle. Just season your fish filets with salt, pepper and paprika, cover the dish with foil, pop them it into the oven for 15-20 minutes and voila! You have a light, tasty and low-calorie meal for your entire family. If you feel like you need something on the side, serve with baked red potatoes and carrots.
2. Crispy fish filets
If you’re not too concerned about your diet, you can opt for something just as easy yet a little bit more comforting. Catfish or tilapia filets covered in breadcrumbs will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters without you having to slave over the stove for hours. Season your fish to taste, coat with beaten eggs and bread crumbs, place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until golden and crispy. Serve with a few lemon wedges and you have yourself a perfect Friday evening meal.
3. Roasted whole fish
If you’re an aspiring fisherman who would love to show off their catch by serving it whole, this is the recipe you have to learn how to make. For this meal, cleaning the fish before cooking is very important but that’s essentially very easy and fast, especially when you get some practice and good guidance. Once your catch is prepped, this easy meal can be ready in half an hour, because you need minimal seasoning and high heat. Take you whole, cleaned fish (mahi-mahi, sea bass, branzino or red snapper are some of the best choices) douse it in olive oil, stuff the inside with fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme and season generously with salt and pepper. After some 18 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your fish, remove from the oven and serve immediately. A traditional Greek salad and a glass of wine will go perfectly with your meal and you’ll get to blow everyone away with your catch.
4. Smoked trout spread
If you’re in a pinch to serve something elegant yet quick, having an easy spread recipe at hand will always help. This appetizer made with smoked trout will be a perfect addition to your NYE dinner, fancy Sunday brunch or a lazy evening at home—serve it whenever you need something more upscale than a regular dip. However, while this spread tastes fancy, it’s definitely easy to make. Just take some mascarpone cheese and crème fraiche and mix them together until creamy. Add your smoked trout, lemon zest and some juice, garlic, chives, tarragon, and cayenne pepper to taste. This spread is best served after spending some time in the fridge, but if you’re in a hurry, make toast and serve right away.
5. Subway tuna sandwich
This is a perfect meal for all the busy bees out there that require a healthy breakfast that can be enjoyed on the go. If you’re craving a good subway tuna sandwich, you can easily make it at home and even play with variations and adjust to your specific tastes. Essentially, what you need for this meal is bread (regular, whole wheat, rye), some tuna from the can and other ingredients to experiment with. Mayo, cottage cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomatoes, and corn all go wonderfully with tuna and will hold pretty well in your sandwich. Even kids will happily munch on their tuna sandwiches when going on a family outing—they are real crowd-pleasers.
There’s really no reason to eat fish only in restaurants. With these easy and fast recipes, you can enjoy fish at home any day of the week. Remember that fish is full of nutritious elements, good fats, vitamins, and minerals and it’s crucial to include it into your and your family’s diet, so cook on!
