Fish with a Side of Pasta

An easy, everyday dish! Pan-fried fish with a simple side is one of those lunch or dinner standbys that never gets old. It's popular for good reason: it comes together quickly, it's filling and tasty, and it's a great fit for a busy weeknight. Best of all, it reheats well the next day without losing any of its flavor.

SnezhanaAuthor avatar
Recipe author

Composition / ingredients

Servings:
Translation table of volumetric measures
Nutrients and energy value of the composition of the recipe
By weight of the composition:
Proteins 24 % 12 g
Fats 20 % 10 g
Carbohydrates 55 % 27 g
243 kcal
GI: 0 / 89 / 11

Cooking method

Cooking time: 50 min
  1. Step 1:

    Step 1

    Gather your ingredients for the fried fish and side. You can use just about any fish for frying — some folks prefer freshwater, others like saltwater. Pollock is one of the most popular choices for pan-frying: it has very few bones and gives off almost no fishy smell while it cooks, which makes the whole job faster and easier.

  2. Step 2:

    Step 2

    Rinse and clean the fish. If the pollock still has its head on, remove it. Cut the body into serving-size pieces, leaving the bones in. Rinse the pieces once more and pat them dry with paper towels.

  3. Step 3:

    Step 3

    Put some all-purpose flour or breadcrumbs on a plate and dredge the fish on all sides — this gives the pieces a crisp, golden crust once they're fried. For a juicier, more tender coating, beat an egg and dip each piece in the egg first, then in the flour. Pour the vegetable oil into a skillet and set it over the heat. Once the oil is good and hot, lay the fish pieces in.

  4. Step 4:

    Step 4

    Season the fish with salt and pepper right in the pan. Fry the pollock over high heat for about 5 minutes on the first side, until golden, then flip and brown the other side. Turn the heat down to medium, add just a splash of water to keep the fish from scorching, cover the skillet, and let it cook another 20 minutes or so. Take the lid off, give it a few more minutes uncovered, then turn off the heat.

  5. Step 5:

    Step 5

    While the fish cooks, you can make the side at the same time. Pasta, rice, and mashed potatoes all pair beautifully with fried fish, but pasta is the quickest — about 10 minutes and you're done. Pour cold water into a saucepan, add a pinch of salt, and set it over the heat. Once it comes to a boil, drop in whatever pasta you like — spaghetti, elbows, shells, spirals, you name it.

  6. Step 6:

    Step 6

    Give it a quick stir right away so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Bring it back to a boil, lower the heat, and cook over medium for about 7–10 minutes, depending on whether it's durum-wheat pasta and on the cook time listed on the package. Drain the pasta in a colander, rinse with cold water, and return it to the pot. Stir in a pat of butter and salt to taste.

  7. Step 7:

    Step 7

    Serve the fish alongside the pasta. Enjoy!

Caloric content of the products possible in the composition of the dish

  • Pasta, premium, fortified - 337  kcal/100g
  • Pasta, premium, dairy - 309  kcal/100g
  • Pasta, premium grade, egg - 342  kcal/100g
  • Pasta made from flour of the 1st grade - 333  kcal/100g
  • Pasta made of flour in /with - 338  kcal/100g
  • Boiled pasta - 135  kcal/100g
  • Pasta - 338  kcal/100g
  • Boiled pollock - 79  kcal/100g
  • Fresh pollock - 72  kcal/100g
  • Ground black pepper - 255  kcal/100g
  • Butter 82% - 734  kcal/100g
  • Amateur unsalted butter - 709  kcal/100g
  • Unsalted peasant butter - 661  kcal/100g
  • Peasant salted butter - 652  kcal/100g
  • Melted butter - 869  kcal/100g
  • Vegetable oil - 873  kcal/100g
  • Salt - 0  kcal/100g
  • Water - 0  kcal/100g
  • Breadcrumbs - 347  kcal/100g

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