**PLEASE NOTICE THAT THE DEALINE FOR THE COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THE 27TH OF JULY. GET THE REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE HERE, COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY**
Before we move on to today’s recipe I have a couple of announcements to make. 1. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of my cookbook. All the information is here: http://spiciefoodie.blogspot.com/2011/07/strawberry-pomegranate-limeade-and.html
2. Congratulations to Patty from Patty’s Food on winning June’s YBR Honest Cooking feature. Stop by and say hi to Patty here: Summertime Peach Upside-Down Almond Cake
It’s been hot, humid and sunny outside. Just the way I love it! But the downside of summer is that it makes me feel a little lazy. The sun shining in through my windows and the warm summer breeze blowing past my desk make it hard to concentrate. Instead of editing photos, typing up recipes and a semi interesting story/history to go with them, all I want to do is go for a walk and dream up stories while basking in the sunshine. So I’ve got nothing interesting to tell you. Haha!
What about you guys, any of you feeling this way too? We’ve been spending as much time as possible outdoors. It’s important to take advantage of the nice weather and refresh by being away from the computer. Even taking as little as 10 minutes to go for a walk outside will help you feel refreshed. Plus stretching your legs is not only good for the mind but for the waistline.
Speaking about waistlines fish is a great food to maintain a healthy waistline. Fish is also a lighter meal perfect for the summer heat. Being overstuffed on a hot summer day is not the best feeling and fish will not leave you feeling so. Another reason why fish makes good hot weather food is because it is so easy and fast to cook. Fish is a pretty hard thing to mess up so even the novice cook can whip up a great fish dinner in no time. Today’s recipe is one of those hassle free, little clean up meals that anyone can cook.
Healthy Pan Fried Nile Perch Fillets:
Serves 2
2 Nile Perch Fillets
1.5 tbsp olive oil
5 garlic, thinly sliced
salt, to taste
ground black pepper, to taste
1 lemon, juiced
frying pan or grill pan
1. Heat the frying/grill pan over medium high heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the pan. Pat dry the Nile Perch fillets with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper on both sides, set aside. Fry the garlic slices until just golden and crispy, be careful not to burn as they will taste bitter. Spoon out the garlic and set aside, leaving the oil. Squeeze half the lemon into the frying/grill pan and mix with the oil. Then place the fillets in the pan and grill on one side for 8 minutes. Flip and cook another 6 minutes or until the fish is firm and cooked through. Squeeze the remaining lemon juice into the grill pan and over the fillets.
Garnish with the fried garlic slices and a slice of lemon and leftover olive oil from the pan, if desired. Suggested side dishes that go wonderful with these fillets are : Turmeric Rice , Trinity Rice and Watermelon Feta Salsa with Fresh Horseradish . I also have another Nile Perch recipe in my archives, Nile Perch with Spicy Cashew Pesto
I leave you with today’s hassle free, little clean up recipe. I’m going back to pretending like I’m actually getting anything accomplished for the next few hours. Today is my scruffy furry bundle of love’s birthday. Our Panchito turns 13 today! As is tradition every year, we will be taking him to pick out a new toy and his special b-day dinner. In a few hours he will be deep into his bucket.
Hmm..mm…this looks so delicious. I always adored simple meal like this. Yours is just fabulous. Hope you're having a great day, Alisha.
Blessings, Kristy
Hi Kirsty, Thank you ! My name is Nancy not Alisha though :)
Sound like a perfect way to be enjoying the summer. Happy Birthday Panchito. I wish we could get some of that nile perch, it sounds so good. Go back outside and get some fresh air, summer is much too short.
-Gina-
Awww…that shot of Panchito is so adorable! I hope he had a contented birthday. You're right about the hot weather making us feel lazy, but in the tropics, that could spell major trouble for me! LOL, it's hot everyday so what's my excuse?
Love this fish recipe, Nancy. It's simple yet flavorful. Hope you're having a good weekend and thanks for sharing the chirpy song!!
Hi Nancy,
I am so glad that you are enjoying sun and summer:)) Here is humid and I feel like I cant breath most of the time, but early evening are awesome for walk in the woods..:)I can't wait for Spring time again:))
Awesome tips, and great dish..I love the simple and delicious recipe!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Even though I am a veggie, I have to admit that this nile looks fabulous. The garnish and presentation is so simple and yet so beautiful. As they say, less is more :)
Great song to start the weekend! And a beautiful dish, too!
Hi Nancy, Happy Friday;-) I'm glad you're enjoying a beautiful summer. I know you're eating really well from all the tasty healthy recipes that you've been posting. Thanks for the mention and the opportunity to contribute at Honest Cooking, such a great site;-)
Beautiful simple piece of fish- my favorite way to enjoy it!
Happy Bday Panchito!! I love the shot of him enjoying his fav bday treat! I feel ya, the weather has been so wonderful my girls cannot handle being indoors too long. thanks for another wonderful recipe, I love simple summer meals.
The perch looks great…I hate that I'm allergic to fish! Happy Birthday to your furry friend!
Quick and easy meals are a “must” for summertime. With no air conditioning, I've been spending very little time in the kitchen, and lots of time outdoors. This fish looks wonderful- just the kind of dinner we love. It looks like your little Panchito is loving his birthday meal too! :)
Love the last photo. I have been spending tons of time outdoors the past few days but sadly a heat wave is coming in next week and it is going to be super humid. I just cannot take it. I am always happy to have a no mess meal and fish in the summer is always a great option!
Great fish recipe! Simple, beautiful, flavorful! Love the pic of the kitty!
I've never had perch. Is it a mild fish? Happy Birthday to Panchito! He is definitely spoiled & loved! Stay cool!
I'm completely feeling the same way in the summer heat. I just want to feel the breeze and maybe smell something good braising/cooking in the kitchen! I've also been buying a lot of seafood. So fresh and perfect for summer. Your “lazy” meal looks completely fancy and tasty!
What a beautiful piece of fish.. Looks perfectly cooked, and delicious! Happy Birthday to Panchito! Love that picture of him… :) Great post!
Thank you everyone!
@Laura, Yes the Nile Perch is mild and the meat is firm.
@Erin, He's not a kitty he's a dog!
Happy Birthday Panchito!!!
This looks fantastic…my favorite way to prepare fish is with a bit of lemon and a tad of pepper or spice :)
Hi Alisha, Thank you I will pass it along :)
What a gorgeous piece of fish :) At first I thought it was Almondine, but then realized that was garlic slices on top and nice almond slices! What a nice and simply presentation. My seafood-loving family would go cuckoo, haha.
Happy birthday to your sweet pooch!!! Lucky pup to get such a delicious treat…my Lambeau wants to move in with you! On to your recipe…simple, yet delicious…just the way I like my seafood :)
The cooking of the fish looks fantastic. Nile perch isn't my favorite fish, but I'd be tempted by this dish.
Quidate
Well…I just made this with green curried cabbage and prawn! Beautiful! ! I loved the kick off the chilli flakes, lemon and toasted garlic. Simple is better!
I agree, specially when it comes to fish and seafood. Thanks Aislinn!