Whitefish with Cilantro Pesto
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and flavorful Whitefish with Cilantro Pesto recipe. Featuring tender, flaky fillets of whitefish like cod, haddock, or halibut, this dish is topped with a zesty homemade cilantro pesto made with fresh cilantro leaves, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of lemon juice for brightness. The pesto is effortlessly blended with olive oil and optional pine nuts or walnuts for a nutty twist, creating an herby, aromatic topping that perfectly complements the delicate fish. Quick to prepare in just 25 minutes, this healthy and gluten-free main course is ideal for busy nights but elegant enough for entertaining. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon for an extra zing, and pair with roasted vegetables or a light salad for a well-rounded and refreshing meal. A must-try for lovers of bold flavors and fresh, wholesome ingredients!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces whitefish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or halibut)
- 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 pieces garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts, optional)
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.33 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking fish)
- 4 pieces lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Prepare the cilantro pesto: In a food processor, combine fresh cilantro leaves, garlic cloves, pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped.
While the food processor is running, gradually drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and well-combined.
Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the pesto, then pulse a few more times to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set the pesto aside.
Pat the whitefish fillets dry with a paper towel, then season both sides with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Place the whitefish fillets in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Transfer the cooked whitefish to a serving plate and spoon the cilantro pesto generously over the top.
Serve the whitefish with lemon wedges on the side for an added burst of freshness. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1543 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 128.1 g | 164% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.9 g | 104% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 220 mg | 73% | |
| Sodium | 1872 mg | 81% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.0 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.8 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 96.8 g | 194% | |
| Vitamin D | 20.0 mcg | 100% | |
| Calcium | 560 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 2575 mg | 55% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
