Fish: Yuck or Yum??

         Fish!!  One simple word conjures up many different emotions in children and adults alike!  Most people tell me that their kids don’t like fish or that they don’t even like fish.  At my house fish is a good thing.  When I tell Jacob fish is for dinner, he literally jumps for joy!  I am sure that you think I am lying!  But I’m not.  I make fish a couple of different ways – all are easy and not that expensive.

            The first way that is probably the most enjoyed by both my kids is oven fried.  My kids have never had a fish stick – actually neither have I!  Fish oven fried is the closest you can get to a fish stick – so if that’s what your family likes, this is it!  Ready – really easy.  Buy cheap white fish (I usually buy it frozen), defrost, leave wet and dip in seasoned panko bread crumbs (seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, parmesan cheese or whatever other flavors you like), spray both sides with cooking spray, place on baking stone or greased cookie sheet and bake at 400° for about 25 minutes until brown and crispy.  I even let the kids pick up the pieces with their fingers!  The only issue I get with this recipe is there is usually not enough.  The packages I buy are about 1 pound and the kids most likely ask for more – I’ll have to start buying and making more at a time. 

            Grilled is my favorite.  Again, easy! I buy frozen salmon, ahi tuna, or bass.  Season with salt and pepper and grill about 4 minutes each side!

            I was watching Giada on the Food Network recently and she made grilled fish kabobs.  This might be a good way to entice someone to eat fish.  She cut up three different kinds of fish, marinated the pieces in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley, and then grilled them on skewers.  I have yet to try this one, but it looked amazing.  You can find the actual recipe at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/grilled-fish-kebobs-with-parsley-and-garlic-butter-recipe/index.html, but I think you can do it without the formal recipe.  Just put the ingredients in to your liking.  She also served it with and herbed butter – I would leave that out.

            So, try some of these recipes and turn that YUCK into YUM!