Fish for beginners :)

sds76
sds76 Posts: 215 Member
in Recipes
We are not fish eaters. Growing up the only fish I ever had was fish sticks. So as an adult I've just never really served fish. I've had cod or halibut at restaraunts but always breaded and fried.
I want to try to introduce some fish to see if the family and I would like it, but don't know where to start. I have a family of 7 so something that isn't too pricey, something more mild in taste and not shellfish(DH is allergic).
What would you suggest? Please feel free to share recipes on how to prepare it as well. Kid appoved= even better :)
Thanks in advance

Replies

  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    Tilapia is awesome and easy to cook and does not have a strong fishy taste.
  • awmejia
    awmejia Posts: 147 Member
    If you like italian food try the better homes and gardens version of Tilapia Puttanesca. It's not fishy and even my 3 yr old will eat it. For a family of 7 just double the recipe
  • Erica27511
    Erica27511 Posts: 490 Member
    As the above poster stated..tilapia is a great "starter" fish.
    I usually pan sear mine with a little chili powder, but you can bake it too with some garlic and lemon. Either way, I think you'll like it. Good luck!
  • Loulady
    Loulady Posts: 511 Member
    Talapia is a good one. Nice and light tasting, and easy to cook.

    I like filets with just some salt, pepper, whatever herb, and some lemon juice/slices on top. I fold it up in parchment paper and bake it.

    I don't know if your kids would balk at that - there's always shake-n-bake methods, too!
  • Healthymom_5
    Healthymom_5 Posts: 244 Member
    Yes, I vote for tilapia too! I just drizzle with lemon and lemon pepper.
    We have also enjoyed smearing a mixture of mayo, Italian breadcrumbs, and Parmesan on top before baking.
    We are trying to work in more fish too!
  • Healthymom_5
    Healthymom_5 Posts: 244 Member
    Oh, yes.....and in a pinch on busy days , the Gortons grilled fish filets are very yummy. Might be a little costly for the whole family, but would be yummy in a soft tortilla fish taco, I think! That might be a fun way to introduce the concept to the kids?
  • H33BO
    H33BO Posts: 1
    not very adventurous but I love boil in the bag fish. 4 1/2 mns in the microwave fish in parsley sauce only 102 calories. taste great and not too fishy
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Just watch your source for tilapia--the farmed fish from China isn't really raised under ideal conditions...

    I usually buy cod or haddock... My favorite way to cook it for my family (which includes a 12-year-old son) is to grill it... I put it on foil, squeeze a little lemon juice over the top, and sprinkle liberally with paprika.
  • heytherestephy
    heytherestephy Posts: 356 Member
    I didn't eat fish (willingly) until I was 20 years old, my parents did everything they could to sneak it into dishes (think fish spaghetti, gross) but I soon found out I absolutely LOVE rainbow trout. It's like salmon but I find it a bit milder and really good grilled with some greek spices.
  • jonward85
    jonward85 Posts: 534 Member
    if you've got kids...you can always do Dishwasher Salmon or Tilapia

    http://www.food.com/recipe/Dishwasher-Salmon-18810
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    I think a good white fish is a great place to start.. ask someone at the meat counter to recommend what they have with the most mild flavor. Are you near a Costco? They always have something mild in the frozen section. You can try Cod or Hake frozen fillets. Thaw them and follow the directions on package to grill or bake. Putting them in a taco is a great way to start. Corn tortilla, shredded cabbage (a bag of coleslaw mix), or lettuce if you prefer... then buy or make a mango or pineapple salsa! Yum!
  • yogini_runner
    yogini_runner Posts: 21
    tilapia or marinated salmon
  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    I am pretty much an anti fish kinda gal but I like COD. Tilapia and flounder are ok but sometimes mushy (frozen). Haven't found a salmon that tastes good to me. MahiMahi is ok if cooked right (not by me!)

    I love shell fish...my standby is spraying pan with pam, lay out the cod (shrimp or scallops if I have it), 1/2 cup parmesan 1/2 tube reduced fat ritz mixed and crumbled put in on top and bake. sprinkle after it's cooked with 2% or fat free shredded cheddar - we call it seafood bake..
  • tara_seay
    tara_seay Posts: 171 Member
    Tilapia is my favorite... you might want to check this thread.. i think any of these recipes could be substituted for any of the fish you might want to cook:


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/704248-any-good-tilapia-recipes
  • Wthompson1215
    Wthompson1215 Posts: 48 Member
    I like salmon. Try some marinade to give fish a different flavor. I use the ones with lime on lemon added they taste really good, and are low in calories!!!
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    My opinion: Tilapia and especially salmon are stronger in flavor. Mild, white fish is a good way to get used to the texture of fish.
  • jerbear1962
    jerbear1962 Posts: 1,157 Member
    Depending on what way you want to cook the fish will better tell us what to suggest...as mentioned Tilapia is a fantastic fish, best broiled, baked or sauteed
    Salmon is a bit fishier tasting but has a fantastic flavor.
    Catfish Fillets are light and flaky...really good broiled with cajun seasoning on it.
    Cod and Perch can be a bit more fishy as with Snapper.
    My favorite is Monk Fish- tastes like lobster...as a matter of fact it's called the Poor Mans Lobster.
    Good luck with what ever you decide for the family.
  • MegdKel
    MegdKel Posts: 96 Member
    Hubby and I eat Tilapia on a fairly regular basis, it's probably the least 'fishy' fish I've ever had (I do *not* like fish either, lol). There is a recipe that I've been wanting to make lately that a friend made for me years ago. I don't have the recipe anymore, but here is what I can remember

    Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa

    Tilapia, marinated for a short amount of time in soy sauce, then grilled.
    Crushed pineapple, small diced red pepper, small diced shallot all heated together on stove top, mix in cilantro after heated through and serve over tilapia.

    It was delicious!
  • onefournine
    onefournine Posts: 24
    My favorite fish meal is a fresh salmon filet seasoned with MacCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning (garlic, herbs and orange citrus taste) then coated with a tablespoon of Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce cooked in the oven.
  • Tuffjourney
    Tuffjourney Posts: 971
    I love seafood. Talipia and SALMON(YUMMMY) are my favorites. I think you might love Cod. Try it in maybe fish tacos first. It has a mild lovely flavor.
  • sds76
    sds76 Posts: 215 Member
    thanks all. I will be adding fish to this weeks menu. Wish us luck :)

    PS, anyone know about shellfish allergies? Do I just need to steer away from shrimp/lobster/crab etc? Are there any fish that can be bad for the allergies that I wouldn't recognize as shellfish? I don't want to kill my husband :)
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    Yep. I'm going with Tilapia too.

    And Salmon. I mix together honey and dijon mustard and use it as a glaze on the top. Put it skin side down on tin foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 (single portion) for 8-10 and broil for 3. Slide the spatula in between the meat and the skin and the filet should come right off (because the skin will stick to the foil). No skin = no ick factor for kids.
  • majikmiker
    majikmiker Posts: 291 Member
    bump
  • drsdghtr
    drsdghtr Posts: 27
    I like fish that doesn't smell or tast like fish.... LOL..... I love halibut but it can be pricey and sometimes hard to find in the midwest. My second choice is haddock. With either one I love to put it on a cookie sheet and cover it with butter buds, lemon pepper seasoning and bit of garlic powder. Bake it on about 380 until it's fully cooked but not overcooked. I also make steamed brocolli with roughly the same seasonings and eat them together, it's awesome! Scallops aren't too fishy either.
  • SBlost
    SBlost Posts: 90
    If you have Target around your place, I buy the Market Pantry frozen swai. They are a good size and 100 cals for one serving. I just put them in a non stick pan and season with a little lemon pepper. Thats it.
    Good luck!!
  • jynxxxed
    jynxxxed Posts: 1,010 Member
    Tilapia is good but definitely not the best. It's a very thin, bland fish.

    I would highly suggest buying some fresh WILD caught cod. I pay $6.99 a pound where I go so it's not too bad. Don't ever do farm raised though!

    Grouper is also AMAZINGGGGG but far from cheap. More like $16 a pound but god, it's good.

    Overall: Buy some cod, throw some black pepper on it and toss it in the oven for 16 minutes at 375. Get some lemon/lime juice and enjoy. :)
  • thrld
    thrld Posts: 610 Member
    Pretty much any white fish will do. (Catfish, swai, tilapia, flounder)

    My kids love this: spray (or lightly oil) baking dish , lay fillets flat in dish, then spread 1 tbsp of lite mayo on top of each. Then cover with breadcrumbs (panko work best, but regular is okay too), and spray breadcrumb layer lightly with PAM . Bake for 20-25 minutes.

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