A beginner’s guide to cooking fish: 5 simple and quick fish recipes

July 05, 2024

Suppose fishing is your biggest passion, and even if you might not always have the highest expectation of getting a good catch, when it happens, you probably rush home and can’t wait to have a great dinner to celebrate your skills. Still, even if you might have some talent in fishing and choose accurately all your utensils and locations, you might not be a five-star cook. In this case, this article is what you’ve been looking for. Here are 5 simple, quick, but delicious fish recipes you can try:

1. Lemon Butter fish

With a few ingredients, in just 20 minutes you can enjoy a delicious lemon butter fish. It’s one of the easiest recipes for beginners, which is also healthy, and you can use white fish including cod, bass, snapper or halibut.

  • First of all, let’s begin with the butter sauce. For this step you will need 60 g of butter, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, salt and pepper. For the preparation, place the butter in a light pan at medium heat, and melt it until it turns golden brown and pour it in a bowl. Then add the lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper and set it aside.
  • For the fish preparation, you need 2 thin fish fillets, skinless and boneless, 2 tbsp of white flour, 2 tbsp of olive oil, salt and pepper. Pat the fish dry with a towel, sprinkle it with salt and pepper and then flour. Heat the oil until it gets shimmery and then add the fish into the pan. Cook for 10-11 minutes until it gains a golden crust on the edges. Then turn it and cook on the other side.
  • Now the lemon butter fish is ready for serving. Plate it with a drizzle of sauce, and garnish with parsley and lemon on the side.

2.      Mediterranean-style fish

The Mediterranean-style fish is a recipe that requires minimal effort for a delicious dinner. In under 30 minutes, you can enjoy this flavoured dish you can prepare using cod fish. Additionally, you will need canned tomatoes, green and black olives, chicken broth, parsley, garlic, onions, olive oil and oregano. Of course, it would be best to enjoy your dinner in a traditional kitchen to recall the southern Italian vibes, so for a proper Mediterranean atmosphere, make sure you create the perfect design style for your cooking space before heating the pans.

  • First of all, cut the cod into fillets, place them into a large bowl and season with sliced onions, garlic, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Then, add parchment paper to your pan and place your fish, pouring also the tomato sauce on top, topping it with olives, oregano, parsley and a tbsp of salt.
  • Place the pan on the stove over medium-low heat and cover it with a lead, letting it cook for about 20 minutes until the cod gets completely opaque and flaky. Now that it’s all ready, you can impress your guests by plating your Mediterranean dish with crusty bread.

3. Sushi

What can be better than a homemade sushi night with your loved ones? It’s much cheaper than at the restaurant, and it’s also super quick and fun to make.

  • Make sure you get seaweed specific for sushi making (you can find packages in any store), you will also need some sushi rice which is more sticky than the regular one, cream cheese and avocado, and prepare the fish you prefer most.
  • Place the seaweed on a sushi rolling surface, and spread a layer of rice. Flatten the rice with a paddle, and then place the fish, avocado, and cream cheese. You can roll it up with your bamboo mat. Now you can slice the sushi and enjoy it with soy sauce, wasabi paste and pickled ginger.

4. Roasted salmon

Roasted salmon is a healthy and easy recipe that provides you with the necessary nutrients and proteins for your well-being. For the preparation of the dish, you will need fresh salmon fillets, olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic, Italian herbs and lemon.

  • Preheat the oven at 400 degrees and place a baking sheet on top, where you will arrange the salmon fillets generously seasoned with salt and pepper. Pour some olive oil, herbs, garlic, and a tbsp of lemon juice on top. Consider adding also some slices of lemon for extra flavour.
  • Bake the salmon for 15 minutes until it gets opaque and flaky, and then garnish with some thyme or parsley to create a beautiful plate.

5. Spicy fish tacos

Fish tacos are highly popular among homemade cook lovers. This recipe it’s quick and just as delicious as it sounds. You can use white fish, like cod, mahi-mahi, halibut or even cod, for a more accessible option.

  • You will need mayo or plain green yoghurt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chilli, salt and pepper, and corn tortillas.
  • Start by cutting the fish into small pieces and then season it with the spices, making it as spicy as you like. at medium-high heat, pour 1 tbsp of olive oil and cook the fish for about 4 minutes on each side. In the meantime, consider roasting a little bit of your tortillas in the oven for a crunchier bite, and then assemble the tacos to your liking.

The bottom line

Fishing is a hobby that can be very rewarding. Besides the satisfaction of getting a nice, big fish on the first try, you can also enjoy a delicious homemade meal and invite your friends over to make the most of your catch. From easy lemon butter white fish to a flavoured Mediterranean-style dinner, the recipes we presented above can push you to discover your inner chef and take your passion for fishing to the next level, starting from the basics.