Skip to main content

Pine Nut–Crusted Fish

Breaded fish is one of our favorites. The richness of pine nuts nicely balances the lemon and herbs to make an irresistible dish. Use just about any fish: flounder, salmon, tilapia, perch, cod, snapper, catfish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

1/2 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
1 egg
1 1/2 pounds fish fillets
Olive oil

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a blender or the bowl of a food processor, combine the bread crumbs, garlic, oregano, grated lemon peel, salt, and pepper, and process until well blended. Add the pine nuts and process until they are evenly chopped. Place the bread crumb mixture in a shallow bowl large enough to hold a single fish fillet. In another bowl, beat the egg.

    Step 2

    Dip each fillet into the beaten egg and then coat each side with the bread crumb mixture. Place the breaded fillets on a piece of waxed paper or a plate.

    Step 3

    Heat a large skillet and add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. On medium heat, cook the fillets for about 4 minutes for every 1/2 inch of thickness. Turn the fish and cook on the second side for an equal amount of time. If you need to cook the fish in batches, add more oil for each batch.

  2. Serving & menu ideas

    Step 4

    Serve something fresh and colorful on the side: Tomatoes & Onions with Mint (page 205), Broccoli Tomato Salad (page 204), or Broccoli Slaw (page 208).

Cover of the cookbook Moosewood Simple Suppers with a red floral motif.
From Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers: Fresh Ideas for the Weeknight Table. Copyright © 2017 by Moosewood Collective. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC. Buy the full book from ThriftBooks or Amazon.
Read More
Like tiny tomato galettes and chimichurri grilled shrimp.
Punchy, make-ahead chimichurri adds a bright, fresh finish to this easy summer dinner.
With a crisp crust, garlicky mayo, and a juicy slice of tomato.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Attention, martini drinkers and spritz drinkers: Please for a single line.
Use the beer, not the can, for this citrusy take on a classic that nods to mojo criollo.
Loosely inspired by pasta Amatriciana, a few pounds of zucchini stand in for tomatoes.