Description
Mediterranean-inspired pan-seared white fish nestles gracefully on a bed of silky spinach, creating a light yet luxurious seafood experience. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques bring Mediterranean elegance directly to your dinner plate, promising delicious simplicity you can easily master.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 (5 ounces/142 grams) thick pieces of skinless white firm fish fillet (such as grouper, flounder, bass, or halibut)
- 9 ounces (255 grams) fresh baby spinach
- 2 ounces (57 grams) reduced-fat cream cheese
Cooking Fats and Dairy:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) salted butter
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) half & half cream
- 3 tablespoons (15 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (150 grams) red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature, melt olive oil and butter together until shimmering.
- Sauté red bell pepper and minced garlic for approximately 4 minutes, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Add fresh spinach leaves to the skillet, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until completely wilted and tender.
- Incorporate cream cheese, half & half, and grated Parmesan, stirring continuously until a smooth, creamy consistency develops.
- Prepare a separate skillet over medium-high heat with remaining oil and butter combination.
- Generously season fish fillets with salt and pepper on both surfaces.
- Carefully place seasoned fish into hot skillet, allowing first side to develop a golden-brown crust for 6 minutes.
- Gently flip fish and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until completely opaque and crisp exterior forms.
- Plate the creamy spinach as a luxurious base, positioning perfectly seared fish fillets on top for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Select firm white fish like cod, halibut, or sea bass for best texture and even cooking.
- Ensure fish is patted dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, faster melting into the spinach sauce.
- Skip Parmesan for dairy-free version, replace with nutritional yeast for similar umami flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 384
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 442 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg