fish

Ina Garten’s Easy Cioppino Recipe

You don’t have to be a chef to make this recipe for the Barefoot Contessa’s authentic cioppino, a tomato-based seafood stew loaded with shrimp, cod, mussels, and clams for a healthy soup and surprisingly easy dinner that goes from fridge to table in just about an hour.

Fun fact. Back in the day I worked as a server (we called ourselves waitresses then) in the best seafood restaurant is Salt Lake City. It was the summer after graduating college and I was saving money for a trip to Europe. It was the most fun I’ve ever had at a job, and even better, it’s where I met my husband.

I was a good waitress. Most of the time. But there was that one time I definitely was not, that dinner service I was carrying a tray loaded with three iron serving skillets atop china plates filled with hot-as-hell cioppino to be served to my table that was up the stairs and around that always tough-to-navigate corner.

As I rounded the corner, I felt it happening. The heavy platters saddled with those steamy pots of Italian fisherman’s stew slowly began to slide. I braced myself and tried to rebalance. It didn’t work. The platters of cioppino slid off the china plates. And then off the tray. And then directly into the lap of my hungry customer. It was a waterfall of tomato stew. My customer had been totally cioppinoed.

That poor guy was not one bit happy about it. But then who would be? And yes, his dry cleaning bill came out of my check.

Luckily that whole nightmare of an experience didn’t tarnish my love for cioppino. In fact, it inspired me to learn to make it at home. Safely at home.continue to the recipe… about Ina Garten’s Easy Cioppino Recipe

Baked Salmon with Creme Fraiche

Salmon recipes can be cooked many ways, but in my book, there’s nothing as easy as baked salmon in white wine and lemon for a healthy dinner, or to make and use for meal prep all week long.

Whether it’s baked salmon, poached, grilled salmon, pan-seared, whole salmon, or cut into filets, the benefits of cooking and eating salmon are not only fast and easy enough for any level of cook to make, but so incredibly good for your health, too.

While visiting my mom earlier this year, my Aunt Jane cooked us this simple salmon dinner baked in wine and topped with lemon, then topped with an easy, and totally flavorful creme fraiche sauce.

Jane is one of those cooks where everything seems effortless. But she confided that while she loves to entertain, she doesn’t always feel so confident in the kitchen, especially when cooking for others. That’s why when she does, she zeroes in on a recipe that’s tried and true. It leaves less margin for error, and more time for enjoying guests rather than time in the kitchen worrying over the stove.

Being from Seattle, this baked salmon with a creamy creme fraiche sauce has pretty much become Jane’s signature dish, and now it can become yours, too.continue to the recipe… about Baked Salmon with Creme Fraiche

How to Make a Healthy-ish Fried Fish Sandwich

If you think that making a healthier fish fillet sandwich at home is an impossible task, think again. This fried fish sandwich with homemade tartar sauce is golden brown and ready to serve in under 30 minutes, and it’s so good that it puts McDonald’s filet-o-fish to shame.

It’s wasn’t very often that I ate fast food as a kid so my first memory of eating at McDonald’s made quite the impression. Surprisingly, it was my grandma Mary Jane—who was a make-it-from-scratch kind of cook and always made sure I ate all my vegetables—who first introduced me to the fast food chain. Yes mom, she DID take me there!

But that day, and every trip to Mickey D’s after that, it wasn’t burgers that we ordered. It was always the filet-o-fish. Apparently I’m not alone.

Ever since, I’ve had a love for the simplicity of that fried fish sandwich: A simple fish patty with a dollop of tartar sauce and a slice of melty cheese sandwiched between soft and warmed top and bottom buns. Of course I always had to request extra pickles on mine because some things just never change.

So it wasn’t much of a surprise that while grazing through the gorgeously photographed and totally creative new cookbook Modern Comfort Cooking from my friend Lauren Grier of the food blog Climbing Grier Mountain, my perusing came immediately to a halt when I spied her recipe for Halibut Filet o’ Fish Sliders, a perfect recipe to serve for a crowd.

And that’s how Lauren helped cure my fish sandwich cravings by delivering a totally delicious recipe we’ll definitely be making time and time again.

How to Make a Fried Fish Sandwich That Feels Almost Healthy

Usually when I’m given the choice of going grilled, baked, or fried, 98% of the time the healthier baked and grilled routes are the ones I take. But just like every rule, there are exceptions, and that’s why I always prefer fried fish for my tacos and will once in a while splurge on fried chicken, Because hey, this girls still gotta live.

The methods Lauren provides in making this recipe make me feel totally okay that this fish is fried.

First, there’s no cloyingly heavy batter here. Instead, we use a lighter mixture of panko bread crumbs and finely crushed un-salted Saltine crackers. Un-salted Saltines? Now that’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one. The panko breading adheres to the fish thanks to a quick dip in buttermilk, tenderizing the fish while still keeping things light. And because breadcrumbs allow more evaporation to occur, the fish stays crispy longer, where battered foods that keep all the moisture in, get soggy faster.

The second method that keeps things healthy-ish is the fish is cooked quickly in 350°F oil. Each side of fish takes only 2-3 minutes to cook and spends less time in the oil so the fish doesn’t absorb that much of it. I use grapeseed oil due to it’s high smoke point, making it ideal for frying and a sandwich that takes just minutes to make. Be sure to test the internal temperature of your fish fillets for doneness at 145°F and the fish is flaky and opaque.

Once the fish is cooked, place it on a rack placed in a baking sheet rather than paper towels. This allows air to circulate all the way around, keeping your fish crispy on all sides.

The other key ingredients to make this fish sandwich swimmingly sublime are:

A super soft, buttery brioche bun that’s been warmed on a tray in the toaster oven so the top of the bun stays soft, or you could microwave it for 15-20 seconds instead. (*note: Lauren’s original recipe made these sandwiches as sliders, but I had a hard time finding brioche slider buns so I simply used the regular sized bun and made just three sandwiches instead of 4 sliders.)
A thin slice of American or cheddar cheese, melted on the bottom bun.
Tartar sauce made with sweet relish for that tangy zip. Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo and lighten the whole load even more.
Slices of sour dill pickles. Always more pickles. That’s my big twist on Lauren’s original recipe.
If you’re really trying to up your fish sandwich game, sliced tomato, red onion and shredded lettuce could certainly be added too.

Best Fish for a Fish Sandwich

Overall, any skinless, mild white fish will do. The halibut I used here is at the top of my price point and the quality proves why, but a more budget-friendly cod or grouper would definitely be my next choice.

halibut
grouper
cod
bass
snapper
tilapia

What Goes Well with a Fish Sandwich?

Anything you’d serve with burgers or at a barbecue will make this fish sandwich a whole meal, and of course, you can never rule out good old potato chips or french fries on the side.

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.

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Healthy-ish Fried Fish Sandwich

Finely ground unsalted Saltine crackers with panko bread crumbs provide the crunch for these easy to make fried fish fillets. The original recipe called for twice the amount of ingredients for the buttermilk and the saltine mixture and we had a lot left over so I've cut those amounts to what is listed here.To grind the crackers, place them in a zippered gallon bag, release all of the air, close, and use a rolling pin to gently crush the crumbs into a fine meal.

Servings 3 regular bun size sandwiches or 4 sliders

Ingredients

For the Tartar Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish or sweet onion relish
1 tablespoon minced onion yellow or green onion
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Fish Sandwiches
2 6-8- ounce skinless boneless halibut filets (if making sliders use 4 3-ounce halibut fillets)
1 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup finely-crushed unsalted, saltine crackers
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
Grapeseed or canola oil for frying
3 brioche buns or 4 slider buns
Cheddar cheese slices
Dill pickle slices

Instructions

For the Tartar Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet relish, onion, lemon juice, kosher salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for flavors to combine.
For the Fish Sandwiches
Cut the fish fillets into 3-4 ounce pieces. Squeeze the lemon juice over the fish fillets. Combine the buttermilk, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. On a large plate, toss together the crushed saltine crackers, panko bread crumbs and Old Bay seasoning.
In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 inches of oil until a deep-fry or candy thermometer reads 350°F. One at a time, dip a piece of fish in the buttermilk, shake off any excess and dip into the saltine mixture and set on another plate or small baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the fish pieces. Place a few of the fish pieces in the oil being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2 minutes, or if the fillets are taller than the oil, fry for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Use tongs to transfer the fish to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet or something similar to catch any dripping oil and quickly season with a sprinkling of kosher salt while the fish is still hot.
While the fish is cooking, preheat the broiler or a toaster oven. Place the tops and bottoms of the brioche buns on a baking sheet and place a slice of cheese on each of the bottom buns. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has slightly melted and the buns are warm and toasty.
To assemble the sandwiches, top the bottom bun with the melted cheese with pickle slices, the halibut, and spread the top bun with tartar sauce and top your sandwich.

Purchase your own copy of Modern Comfort Cooking for 80+ recipes loaded with international flavors like French Onion Udon Noodle Soup, Indian Spiced Fried Chicken Drumsticks with Ginger Honey, Banh Mi Breakfast Tacos and Korean Pulled Pork Lasagna.

Visit Lauren and her food blog at Climbing Grier Mountain.

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Blackened Fish Tacos with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Mild-tasting tilapia fillets get a kick of cajun spices in one of my favorite ways to eat blackened fish: soft shell Blackened Fish Tacos that are topped with a cool avocado and cilantro tartar sauce to finish each bite.

This post is brought to you by McCormick

You don’t find balance, you create it. Words to live by.

This recipe is a prime example of making a meal that’s balanced in so many ways, and one I’m happy to share as a brand ambassador for McCormick again this year.

Mild but with a kick of spicy heat = balance. Crunchy but with a creamy lick = balance. Protein fueled but with a touch of carbs = balance. No need for a fork but grab plenty of napkins = balance.

It’s all in how you make it, and eat it, too.

continue to the recipe… about Blackened Fish Tacos with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Poached Salmon With Mustard Dill Sauce

While it may seem complicated to some home cooks, poached salmon is one of the simplest ways to cook this popular fish once you know the poaching secrets, and it’s even better topped with this deliciously easy mustard dill sauce that’s ready to serve in under 30 minutes.

Healthy-ish. Formal-ish. Style-ish. Lately these are words I’ve been adopting with relish.

In their root form, these lifestyle descriptions can sometimes feel too hard to achieve. Because who can truly devote themselves to always eating healthy and acting healthy when wine and cookies beckon? And who has it in them (not to mention the time) to nail each and every detail as the ultimate entertainer? And if anyone expects me to look like I strutted straight out of the pages of a magazine, I hope they’re reading a magazine about how to wear the same uniform day in and day out.

But with that little “-ish” at the end of almost any word, those stricter interpretations become more fluid, somewhat easier, a little less intimidating, and a lot more achievable.

This poached salmon recipe is a prime example of being healthy-ish, formal-ish, and totally style-ish for cooking any time, and because both the salmon and the sauce hold up especially well, its perfect for a simple-ish brunch, lunch or dinner buffet. continue to the recipe… about Poached Salmon With Mustard Dill Sauce

Broiled Miso Cod With Vegetables

This sheet-pan dinner couldn’t be easier. Simply marinade the fish in a simple miso sauce then place in the oven for a fast and favorite meal.

When I asked my husband if he had any ideas of what recipe to share for this post, he didn’t even pause. His answer was this super simple, totally healthy, sheet-pan dinner we’ve been making for years that just happens to fit right in with this year’s partnership with Reynolds Wrap Endless Table (have you seen their stunning Instagram account yet? Tip: Look at it in grid view!)

Can I just tell you how much I LOVE having my husband take over in the kitchen?

Because this is his recipe. It always has been. Always will be. And the kitchen is one place where I am more than happy to hand over the reigns to my man. Okay, make that MOST of the time—especially when those reigns pertain to bubbles and scrubbing.

But when he makes the decision of what’s for dinner without the nightly negotiations of all parties involved, is willing to shop for it, cook it and clean up afterward?

SOLD! SIGN ME UP! DO THEY CLONE YOU?

Plus, he’s pretty darn cute. Just sayin’…I mean, you learn a thing or two about a guy after 20+ years. As he does about you. Yikes. That’s the scary part.

continue to the recipe… about Broiled Miso Cod With Vegetables

Grilled Halibut with Tomato Avocado Salsa

Flaky halibut filets are simply seasoned and grilled, then topped with a fresh and easy tomato avocado salsa in this healthy and fast, three-step recipe.

Halibut. Swordfish. Salmon. I’m always drawn to these dishes on a restaurant menu. But the truth is, I rarely order fish at restaurants simply because I know I can make it better at home.

Knowing how to grill fish is something every home cook should master. The thing is, it really isn’t that hard. It’s simple, it’s fast and it’s healthy.

But let’s get one thing straight. Just because a recipe is simple does not mean it should go flavorless. With halibut’s mild flavor, the fresh addition of sliced tomatoes and avocado with a touch of light balsamic is all that’s needed for a truly tempting summer meal.

Unless you want to give my mango salsa a try :).

This recipe is part of my Weekend Eats series, where I’m sharing a seasonal recipe idea for what to have for dinner come Saturday and Sunday, with the occasional breakfast or brunch thrown in. Rounding out the posts are a few suggestions of what to pair with my main dish, recipes from other food bloggers at the bottom of this post.

continue to the recipe… about Grilled Halibut with Tomato Avocado Salsa

Fish Chowder With Copper River Salmon

This thick and creamy, perfectly chunky, and easy to make chowder made with the best Copper River salmon gets a Thai makeover with flavors of coconut milk, fresh lemongrass, ginger, and kaffir lime, for a unique spin on a comfort food favorite.

This fish chowder, if it could talk, would have a long story to tell about a very short trip I was on that ended in minutes with a very quick fall.

This soup and I met on a rainy Alaskan night. There were no walks on the beach but we did get caught on the rain. The piña coladas were on an entirely different continent and man oh man, how I wished I had champagne to kill the pain. But this soup from Cordova, Alaska’s local Fishwives, and it’s subtle Thai-inspired flavors saved me instead.

continue to the recipe… about Fish Chowder With Copper River Salmon

Spicy Fish Tacos

Family and food. They go together like butter and biscuits. It’s what every foundation of every civilization is built upon. To sit down to a meal, with forks in position and a wealth of new and old stories to tell.

I too often forget how much I love these simple dinners with the whole gaggle of extended family about. I have to remind myself it really isn’t that hard to send a text, give a call and have someone bring the salsa and chips, someone else grab a dessert.

Because we all want to be involved. It’s half the fun. Especially when everyone else digs in and starts doing the dishes. Best part ever.

So to prep for Cinco de Mayo and test out some new recipes on our loved ones aka guinea pigs, my man and I sent out the call and the flock arrived, ready to chow down on some scrumptious eats.

Basically I was just itching for an excuse to make these Spicy Fish Tacos.

Good news everyone! They received a table-full of hearty thumbs ups.

continue to the recipe… about Spicy Fish Tacos

Seared Ahi Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa

Are you a dinner recipe planner or do you fly by the seat of your desires once your cute striped TOD’s hit the front door of your favorite grocery store?

I wish I was a better grocery shopping planner. But then if I was, I wouldn’t have found these amazing tuna steaks at the good old Costco. And because I would have had a list I was compelled to follow, I probably wouldn’t have deviated from said written word. And then, I wouldn’t have shared these lovely meaty fishes with you. Meaty fishes? Oxymoron. But still.

When we lived in Venice, we didn’t have to buy fish from the good old Costco. We had Santa Monica Seafood which for anyone who has a crush on fish is like a the sparks that fly between Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Lining Playbook. Why oh why did he not win Best Actor. His baby blues deserve their own award, stat.

SM Seafood had a plethora of fish, every single day. Stuff you’ve never heard of. But the tuna was crazy good. But given we were on the pacific coast, we didn’t always have to get our tuna from the store.

Nope, we had Jimmy for that.

continue to the recipe… about Seared Ahi Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa

Baked Salmon with Spicy Plum Preserves and a GIVEAWAY

You’ve been there, we all have in one form or another. You’ve invited friends over for a weeknight bite and a sip, but the bossman says, “You know that campaign you were working on for Friday? Guess what? Times change and you will too. It’s due tomorrow.” Sucks to be you is what you’re thinking and then you realize, oh wait, he’s got his coat and his cute little lunchbox his wife packed for him and HE’S the one walking out the door.

But wait! I have friends coming over and I still need to stop by the grocery store for the main dishalish. I still need to grab some vino at the wine store and vacuum the top layer of dog hair off the floor.

What’s a hostess to do?

continue to the recipe… about Baked Salmon with Spicy Plum Preserves and a GIVEAWAY

Salmon and Bagel Egg Benedict for Mother’s Day Brunch

While writing this I can overhear my husband singing along to Pete Townsend.

It’s not the expected rendition of one of the The Who‘s famously loud and uproarious songs. No, its a much sweeter and tender tune sung to a simple ukelele with a message that resonates deeply with me this Mother’s Day.

“I like every minute of the day!
I like every second, so long as you are on my mind,
Every moment has its special charm,
It’s all right when you’re around, rain or shine.”
—Blue, Red and Grey, The Who

It’s too easy these days between work commitments, running kids to and fro—not to mention our daily obsession with Instagram and Pinterest—to forget what is most important in our ever-expanding to-do-list-filled days.

To take a breath. To sit back and to look around and take advantage of the moments we have together as a women, moms and daughters.

Whether it’s an impromptu pinecone dodgeball fight in the park with my darling and quickly maturing daughter or a telephone conversation with my most supportive cheerleading mom, it’s just like Pete says, it’s all right when they’re around.

Smudge and her Mimi at a recent outing at the Zoo via @FoodieCrush Instagram

And that’s why I’m thrilled that I’ll again be spending this Mother’s Day with both of my girls. Yes, it is just a day like any other calendar day, but it’s also a reminder to take advantage of time spent with one another. To respect the teachings of the mom who’s lived a life of learning and to share her life lessons with my absorbent little sponge of a Smudge.

We’ve made this recipe a couple of times for my parents. Although my dad was a wee bit skeptical the first time out of the gate, he’s definitely been won over.continue to the recipe… about Salmon and Bagel Egg Benedict for Mother’s Day Brunch