Fish Florentine
Get ready for a flavor-packed journey with this Fish Florentine recipe! Imagine tender fish fillets bathed in a creamy spinach sauce, baked to perfection. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for impressing your family or friends! Whether you’re a cooking newbie or a seasoned pro, this dish will make waves at your dinner table!
Ingredients
- 4 fish fillets like tilapia, cod, or salmon; you can even substitute with chicken if you’re in a pinch
- 2 cups fresh spinach use frozen if that’s what you have; just make sure to thaw it first
- 1 cup heavy cream sub with milk, but remember it won’t be as rich
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese hello, cheesy flavor! A little cheddar can work too
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice fresh is best, but bottled works too
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme if you don’t have thyme, feel free to play around with Italian herbs
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: First thing’s first, we need to get that oven heating up. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). This way, when we’re ready, the oven will be perfectly warm and ready to embrace our dish!
- Sauté the Spinach: Grab a big ol' skillet and pour in the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and let it sauté for about a minute until it’s fragrant (but not burning, please!). Now, add the spinach and sauté until just wilted, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and pepper while you’re at it! Remove from heat.
- Mix the Creamy Goodness: In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, thyme, and a little more salt and pepper to taste. This is where the magic happens! Stir until it’s all smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the Fish: Now for the fish! In a greased baking dish, place your fish fillets in a single layer. Drizzle just a tad bit of olive oil on top and sprinkle some salt and pepper. Pour your creamy mixture over the fish, and then spread that glorious spinach mixture over it. Don’t be shy – you want every bite to be packed with flavor!
- Bake It Up: Cover the baking dish with foil and pop it in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. After that time, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the fish is flaky and the sauce is bubbling away. You can give it a little broil at the end to get that golden top if you fancy!
- Serve and Enjoy: All done? Plate those vibrant fish fillets and scoop up some of that luscious sauce and spinach on top. This dish pairs perfectly with a side of rice or a fresh salad. You're going to want to dive right in!