Pan-Seared Fish Bowl (Printable Version)

Tender fish over rice with roasted vegetables and zesty lemon sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 fillets flaky white fish (cod, halibut, or tilapia), 5.3 oz each
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 - 1 lemon, juiced and zested
18 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano until evenly coated. Spread vegetable mixture in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes until tender with light caramelization.
02 - Rinse rice thoroughly under cold running water. In a saucepan, combine rinsed rice, 2 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork.
03 - Pat fish fillets dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place fish in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the exterior is golden and the flesh is opaque throughout. Transfer cooked fish to a warm plate.
04 - In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Set aside.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Top each portion with roasted vegetables and a seared fish fillet. Drizzle generously with lemon sauce and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinners stop feeling like a chore.
  • The fish stays impossibly tender while the vegetables get those little caramelized edges that make you eat more than you planned.
  • There's enough brightness from the lemon sauce that you'll want to make extra just to drizzle on everything.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when searing fish or it will steam instead of sear, and steamed fish is sad fish; two fillets at a time is better than rushing all four.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork after it rests, not a spoon, because spoons break the grains and turn it into mush.
03 -
  • Keep your skillet dry and hot before the fish touches it; this is the secret to that golden crust that makes everything taste better.
  • Make the lemon sauce while everything else is resting so it's warm when you serve it and the flavors meld with the other components instead of sitting isolated on top.
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