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Butter Basted Fish With Garlic and Thyme
Butter basted fish with garlic and thyme from America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Illustrated is a crazy quick and indulgent way to put a healthful dinner on the table pronto. Here's how.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 321 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- Two (6 to 8 ounce) skinless firm white fish fillets* such as cod, halibut, black sea bass, haddock, or hake, 1 inch (25 mm) thick
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Mild vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 oz) unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch (12-mm) cubes
- 2 garlic cloves crushed and peeled
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Pat all sides of fillets dry with paper towels. Sprinkle on all sides with salt and pepper.
- In a 12-inch (30-cm) nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil until hot but not smoking.
- Reduce heat to medium and place fish skinned side down in the skillet. Using a fish spatula, gently press on each fillet for 5 seconds to ensure good contact with a skillet. Cook the fish, without moving it, until the underside is light golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Using 2 spatulas, gently flip fillets and cook for 1 minute more.
- Scatter the butter around the fish. When the butter is melted, tilt skillet slightly toward you so that butter pools at front of skillet. Using large spoon, scoop up melted butter and pour over the fish repeatedly for 15 seconds. Place skillet flat on burner and continue to cook 30 seconds more. Tilt skillet and baste for 15 seconds.
- Place the skillet flat on burner and take temperature of thickest part of each fillet. Continue to alternate basting and cooking until fillets reach 130°F (54°C), about 2 minutes more.
- Add garlic and thyme sprigs to skillet at the 12 o’clock position (butter may spatter). When spattering has subsided, continue basting and cooking until fillets reach 135°F (57°C) at the thickest point.
- Transfer fish fillets to individual plates. Discard garlic. Top each fillet with thyme sprigs, drizzle with the butter in the skillet, and serve with lemon wedges.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1portion
Calories
321kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
2g
(1%)
Protein
35g
(70%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
130mg
(43%)
Sodium
673mg
(28%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 321
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1portion | |
| Calories | 321kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 130mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 673mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.