Pan-Seared Fish Bowl (Printer-friendly)

Tender white fish seared to perfection over fluffy rice with roasted seasonal vegetables and zesty lemon sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 fillets (5.3 oz each) flaky white fish such as cod, halibut, or tilapia
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional

→ Rice

05 - 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
06 - 2 cups water
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

08 - 1 medium zucchini sliced
09 - 1 medium red bell pepper chopped
10 - 1 small red onion sliced
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano

→ Lemon Sauce

15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 2 cloves garlic minced
17 - Juice and zest of 1 lemon
18 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
03 - Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
05 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice, zest, parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
06 - Divide cooked rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each with roasted vegetables and one seared fish fillet. Drizzle with lemon sauce and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The fish cooks faster than you'd think, making weeknight dinners feel less stressful and more satisfying.
  • Everything comes together in one bowl, which means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy what you made.
  • The lemon sauce is the secret weapon that ties all the flavors together without feeling heavy.
02 -
  • Dry fish is crucial for a proper sear, so don't skip patting those fillets with paper towels even though it feels like an extra step.
  • The rice needs those five minutes of resting time covered after cooking—it finishes cooking in its own steam and becomes fluffier than if you'd fluffed it immediately.
03 -
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet when searing fish—give it space to develop that golden crust without steaming itself.
  • If your lemon is going to sit in your fruit bowl for a few days, microwave it for ten seconds before cutting to get more juice out of it.
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