Mild-flavored fish, easy recipes (crab, pepper, onion, taco)

[Bookmen]

I don't particularly like fish, but know I should eat more. I've been told that tilapia has a mild flavor. Any good recipes for tilapia or other suggestions? I'm a pretty good cook, but since I don't like fish, I'm not experienced with cooking it so fool-proof recipes would be great! I thank you and my heart thanks you.

[Beretta]

Try this one: Broiled Tilapia Parmesan - Allrecipes

[burdell]

Cod is very mild, brush a fillet with a little olive oil, maybe sprinkle on some bread crumbs for texture, 400-425 deg oven, done when it flakes easily in 10 minutes or so, depends on thickness. Serve with tartar sauce and a squeeze of lemon, goes great with cole slaw and fries. Quick, easy, and most importantly tasty

[LaceyEx]

I coat tilapia with panko bread crumbs, saute in a little olive oil for about 5 min each side.

Burdell is right with the cod-also haddock is mild.

[burdell]

If you like tuna it doesn't get much easier than grilled tuna steaks, also good cooked in a sauce of tomatoes, olives, and capers.

[Bookmen]

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. LaceyEx, do I need to use anything to make the panko bread crumbs adhere to the fish? I ask because on my one attempt at cooking fish I used a breading mix on flounder which all fell off during the saute. I had visions of the lovely breaded filets you see in restaurants and ended up with an ugly mess. I don't know if the temperature of the oil may have been wrong or if it was something else in the preparation.

Burdell, even tuna is too fishy for my taste, but I'll have to give cod a try.

[LaceyEx]

Bookmen-just dry the fish with paper towels, sprinkle w/lemon pepper, dip in panko-it's not going to be a heavy breading but a nice,light one.

[Tracysherm]

I personally think that breading would ruin a good fish!

The GRILL is your friend! I used to think I didn't like fish, now I love it. I order fish in nice restaurants now.

You don't even need fancy recipes (leave that to the restaurants when you go out). Most fish is great on the backyard grill, maybe brushed with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Or use a marinade (get a recipe or just buy it in a bottle).

Tilapia and other delicate fishes need to be in a "fish basket" or something like that, or the fish will break apart and fall into the bottom of the grill. I learned that the hard way when I lost most of my awesome chilean sea bass. I bought a great fish basket at Macy's for like 19.99. I'm sure other places like Target are even cheaper.

But firmer "steak-like" fish like tuna, swordfish, shark, can be slapped directly on the grill.

Experiment with different fish in your local grocery store, You can even ask the person behind the counter for grilling advice. I don't know where you live, but Wegmans is great in this regard.

We've tried fish we never heard of, and loved them.

I'm not a cook at all, and I'm really not what you would call a health food nut, but we eat fish on the grill several times a week.

Ask for a "non-fishy" fish; they will know what you mean, I've found that most very fresh fish is not "fishy" smelling or tasting at all. The only one I got that was fishy-smelling was monkfish (the kitchen smelled for a few days sicne it was winter and I couldn't go outside and grill. But the cats were very intrigued.)

You might love scrod, grouper, and if you can ever find it, Merlusa. They are all very delicate. Cod and haddock are too, but they are very generic; I think they make fish-sticks or "fish-n-chips" out of those. Start with the good stuff!

Seriously, go easy on the breading and frying ideas. It kills the flavor, adds fat, and is much less healthy. The grill adds no fat, and neither does a good marinade. Oddly, the best seasoning I've found for fish is "Mrs. Dash" (seriously).

[poconoproud]

For Talapia: (I broil this, for crispy edges)

10 pieces fish (I have family of 5)

1 large orange ~ sliced thin
2 lemons ~ sliced thin (reserve 1/2 a lemon not sliced)
1 large tomato ~ sliced thin
1 medium onion ~ sliced thin
3 cloves garlic ~ chopped small

also need 1 stick butter & can also add olive oil
Old bay seasoning garlic & lemon
Salt & pepper
& any other spices you like on fish / dill etc.
(my son likes taco seasoning on his)

OK ~ lay all fish on tin foil, spread softned butter on each piece
Add the Old Bay, Salt & pepper & spices
put the garlic pieces on
squeeze reserved lemon half over pieces
lay a slice each of lemon, orange, tomato, onion on each piece of fish
Now drizzle olive oil if using it
Broil about 10 minutes or so, will flake when done

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Bookmen

Burdell, even tuna is too fishy for my taste, but I'll have to give cod a try.

Are shrimp and/or crab on the table? Lots of good, simple recipes for both.