Save to Pins A playful, healthy dish designed in the shape of a fish, featuring fresh vegetables and tender white fish fillet. Perfect for a light lunch or an elegant starter.
This recipe always brings smiles to the table when I serve it for lunch. The kids especially love the fish shape and colorful vegetables.
Ingredients
- Fish: 2 small white fish fillets (e.g., cod or sole, ~120 g each), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetables: 1 small carrot, 1 small zucchini, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 yellow bell pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Decoration: 4 black olives (for eyes and scales), 2 slices cucumber (for fish mouth and tail)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- Lay the fish fillets flat and use a sharp knife to trim one end into a point (the fish head) and cut small notches along the sides for fins.
- Step 3:
- Brush the fillets with olive oil, sprinkle with lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Place them on the prepared tray.
- Step 4:
- Use thin slices of carrot, zucchini, and bell peppers to create colorful scales on top of the fillets. Reserve a few slices for the tail and fins.
- Step 5:
- Use an olive slice for the eye and a cucumber slice for the mouth. Arrange remaining vegetables to form the tail and fins.
- Step 6:
- Bake in the oven for 12–15 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and the vegetables are tender but vibrant.
- Step 7:
- Carefully transfer to plates, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Save to Pins My family especially enjoys making this dish together, each person arranging the vegetables to create their own unique fish design.
Required Tools
Sharp knife, Baking tray, Parchment paper, Cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains fish. May contain traces of allergens depending on fish source. Double-check ingredient labels if unsure.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 180. Total Fat: 7 g. Carbohydrates: 8 g. Protein: 22 g per serving.
Save to Pins This whimsical fish-shaped meal is perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a nutritious lunch with the family.
Questions & Answers
- → What type of fish works best for this dish?
White fish fillets like cod or sole are ideal for their mild flavor and tender texture, making them easy to shape and bake evenly.
- → How can I create the fish shape effectively?
Trim one end of the fillet into a point for the head and make small notches along the sides to resemble fins. Arrange vegetable slices to mimic scales and tail.
- → Can I substitute any ingredients to suit dietary preferences?
Yes, for a vegetarian option, replace fish with tofu cut into the fish shape and follow the same decoration technique with vegetables.
- → What is the best way to cook the fish and vegetables?
Bake the prepared fillets topped with vegetables at 180°C (350°F) for about 12-15 minutes until the fish is cooked through and vegetables remain vibrant but tender.
- → How can I enhance the flavor of this light dish?
Adding lemon zest, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh parsley provides bright freshness. Serving with herbed yogurt or lemon vinaigrette complements the flavors beautifully.