Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (2024)

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This easy Fish Florentine recipe, made with a pan seared firm white fish served on a creamy bed of spinach feels like something you would order out in a fancy restaurant!

Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (1)
Fish Florentine

I love fish and try to eat it once or twice a week. You can see all my fish recipes here! This recipe takes under 30 minutes to make, the creamy spinach is what makes the whole dish, made with a little cream cheese, half & half cream and Parmesan cheese. It’s dreamy, delicious and the perfect pairing for the simple white fish.

Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (2)

I adapted this dish from this recipe I found online, which I lightened up simply by reducing the butter, oil, Parmesan and cream cheese. I had reduced-fat cream cheese on hand so I used that instead and it turned out amazing! Rich and decadent and feels like it should be a lot more calories!

Cooking Tips

  • Any firm, white boneless fillet would be great, I choose local and ask my fishmonger for the freshest options available. Here I used cod, but halibut, or sea bass would make a great option.
  • For a thinner piece of fish, adjust the cook time so you don’t over-cook it.
  • When fresh fish is available, wait until the day or day before to buy it before you are going to cook it.
  • If fresh isn’t available, buy frozen instead of previously frozen to control freshness and keep it frozen until you need it.
  • Frozen fish fillets are great to keep on hand in the freezer. You can defrost them overnight in the fridge or pull from from the freezer and put them in an ice bath (in the package if they are individually wrapped or in a sealed Ziploc) for about 30 minutes
  • Swap the fish for chicken breast, scallops or shrimp if you’re not a fan of fish.

Freezer Tips

Refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days or freeze in individual containers for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave about 3 minutes.

How To Make Fish Florentine

Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (3)

Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (4) Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (5) Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (6) Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (7)Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (8)

More Fish Recipes:

  • Baked Salmon with Fresh Herbs
  • Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
  • Skillet Fish Fillet with White Wine and Capers
  • Healthy Baked Fish Sticks
  • Flounder Milanese

Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (9)

Fish Florentine

6

Cals:351

Protein:43

Carbs:6

Fat:16.5

This easy Fish Florentine recipe, made with a pan seared firm white fish served on a creamy bed of spinach feels like something you would order out in a fancy restaurant!

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (10)

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 20 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: 1 fish filet with scant 1/2 cup spinach

Ingredients

  • 4 5 oz thick pieces of skinless white firm fish fillet , (such as grouper, flounder, bass or halibut)
  • 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 9 ounces fresh baby spinach, from two bags
  • 2 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese, I like Philadelphia
  • ¼ cup half & half cream
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • kosher salt
  • fresh black pepper

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium heat add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon of butter, red bell pepper and garlic and cook for about 4 minutes.

  • Add spinach season with a pinch of salt and pepper mix until the spinach wilts down.

  • Add cream cheese, half & half and parmesan cheese mix well until cream cheese is melted and resembles creamed spinach.

  • Heat a separate skillet on medium high heat, add remaining oil and butter.

  • Season fish on both sides with salt and pepper and place on the hot pan.

  • Cook 6 minutes on first side and flip fish over and cook other side an additional 5 minutes, until cooked through and browned.

  • Divide the spinach mixture on the bottom of each plate and top with piece of fish.

Last Step:

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Video

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days or freeze in individual containers for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave about 3 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 fish filet with scant 1/2 cup spinach, Calories: 351 kcal, Carbohydrates: 6 g, Protein: 43 g, Fat: 16.5 g, Saturated Fat: 6.5 g, Cholesterol: 78 mg, Sodium: 300 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 2 g

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Photo Credit: Jess Larson

Fish Florentine – The BEST Fish Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the best seasoning to put on fish? ›

The Best Herbs & Spices For Seasoning Fish
  • Basil. Lemon and basil are a match made in heaven! ...
  • Parsley. Parsley is a perfect addition to pan-fried fish, with a slightly bitter aroma that can balance savoury dishes. ...
  • Dill. ...
  • Lemongrass. ...
  • Rosemary. ...
  • Thyme. ...
  • Sage. ...
  • Smoked Paprika.
Nov 13, 2021

How to cook fish the best? ›

Cooking fish for 10 minutes per inch of thickness is an old rule of thumb that works perfectly when roasting fillets or steaks. It's just enough time to cook the flesh through so that it's opaque, but not so much that it flakes. The only hitch comes with fillets that are uneven.

What is the most popular fish to bake? ›

Fish fillets: The best type of fish for baking are flaky white fish, such as tilapia, halibut, cod, bass, grouper, haddock, catfish or snapper. White fish doesn't always mean that the fish is literally white in color; it is a category of mild-flavored, quick-cooking fish.

What brings out the flavor of fish? ›

When making a dish with fish, consider the flavour it already has and bring it out by adding herbs that further complement it. Some of the best herbs to use with fish are basil, tarragon, dill, and parsley. Basil enhances the flavour while adding a slight sweetness and is lovely when used with halibut or cod.

Do you put olive oil on fish before seasoning? ›

Don't skimp on seasoning.

Season both sides of the fish (since the salt doesn't get absorbed after frying) and drizzle the filet with olive oil (don't be afraid to keep adding more!), continuing to season with salt and pepper along every step of the way.

Why do you soak fish in milk before cooking? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

What is the secret to cooking fish? ›

Use gentle heat even on a grill.

Whether you are pan searing it or grilling it, use a lower heat than you would with other meat. If you are planning to grill it, consider wrapping it in foil to keep in the moisture and ensure it doesn't absorb too much of the charcoal taste.

What is the number 1 best fish to eat? ›

1. Salmon. Salmon is versatile and one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acid, which is essential as the body cannot make it on its own so it must be obtained through food. Salmon's also high in protein, with just 200g providing around 44g protein.

Is it better to bake or pan fry fish? ›

When fish is fried at higher temperatures, it loses some of the important omega-3 fats and vitamin D with some studies reporting fish such as salmon loses half of its vitamin D when fried. Baking fish is a great way to keep the important nutrients intact without upping the fat content to unhealthy levels.

What is the most delicious fish to eat in the world? ›

#1: Salmon

When it comes to the best tasting fish, few fish can rival the allure and versatility of salmon. Renowned for its rich taste and succulent texture, salmon has become a staple in kitchens around the world. Its distinct flavor profile and buttery texture make it a true culinary gem.

How to pan fry fish like a restaurant? ›

Pan-Fry the Fish

Fry the fish until golden on the bottom. For all those wondering, "How long does fish take to fry?": Pan-frying the average fillet takes about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Once the first side is golden, flip the fish over, using tongs or a large metal spatula and a fork to steady the fish.

How can I make my fish more flavorful? ›

There's no reason why you can't sprinkle avocado oil, ginger, cumin, and lemon pepper on hearty fish. Or, add even more punch with a sauce or relish made with shallots, capers, olives, or salsa. Meaty fish can also take a full-flavored marinade made from just two ingredients: maple syrup and whole-grain mustard.

When should I season my fish? ›

Salt draws moisture to the surface – which we are trying to avoid. We always salt our fish after we cook, not before. Have fun! Experiment with different spice blends – especially when trying stir-fried belly portions – delicious.

What spices do fish like? ›

Star Anise is a well respected and highly recommended spice for bait in fishing circles. It's strong, warm liquorice flavour with sweet notes really seems to go down well with the fish. Not only does it taste good, it has a very distinctive fragrance which, as you're probably gathering by now, is essential for this.

Should fish be seasoned? ›

Perfect seasoning is the secret to fully appreciating the flavour of fish, but it's not always that easy to get it right. Mark Puckey, head chef lecturer at Rick Stein's cookery school shares his top tips of how to season fish. 1) Always use a good quality salt. I would recommend using Cornish Sea Salt or Maldon Salt.

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