Frozen Fish to Baked Fish Smothered In Salsa…Only 30 Minutes

Until this past year or so, I typically left the cooking of fish to restaurants. One afternoon, I was aimlessly walking through the grocery store trying to decide what to cook for dinner that day when I found myself in the fish section of the market. None of the fresh fish in the display counter looked appealing so I began to stare at all of the packages of individually frozen fish filets (not your mother’s fish sticks) in the freezer display. I was amazed how much selection was available.

Baked Fish Filet Smothered with Salsa

For this first purchase, I selected a package where each fish filet was individually packaged and there was extensive preparation / how to cook information on the package. Since then, I purchase packages of individually frozen fish that has less packaging instructions, the filets are loose in the bag and in turn costs less.

The following recipe is almost too easy and even after having made this dish dozens of times, I am still surprised how simple and quick it is to make.

Frozen Fish Filets with Drizzled Olive Oil and Kosher Salt

Frozen Fish Filets Covered in Salsa

Salsa Baked Fish (25 minutes later)

Ingredients:

• 4 to 5 Individually Frozen Fish Filets (your personal choice of the fish: Cod, Haddock, Tilapia, Swai, Catfish to name a few)
• 16 Ounce Jar of Salsa (you select the Brand and Heat Level), or homemade salsa
• 3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 2 to 3 Pinches of Salt (optional)
• 9 inch x 12 inch Pyrex Casserole Dish

Instructions:
Total time: 30 mins

1. Preheat the oven to 450 Degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Drizzle half of the Olive Oil onto the bottom of the Pyrex Casserole Dish.
3. Place the Frozen Fish Filets in the Pyrex Casserole Dish. Depending on the size of the Filets, you should be able to space 4 – 5 filets. If not, prepare another Pyrex Casserole Dish.
4. Drizzle the remaining Olive Oil over the Fish Filets.
5. Sprinkle the Salt over the Fish Filets (optional).
6. Evenly pour the Salsa over the Fish Filets.
7. Place the uncovered Pyrex Casserole Dish on the middle rack in the oven and baked for 25 minutes.
8. When 25 minutes have passed, remove the Pyrex Casserole Dish from the oven and serve.

Typically, I serve the fish baked with salsa on a bed of white steamed rice or some other variation of steamed rice that has been cooked with a bouillon cube and maybe some vegetables added. If I am not feeling the desire for rice, then I will make my Fiesta Style Cheesy Grits. Steamed vegetables also are very nice with this meal and the overall dish is very light, flavorful and so easy to make. Very little mess in the kitchen and with so few ingredients it is still a very flavorful meal to prepare in 30 minutes.

I still have that first empty package of fish in my freezer so when I have a lapse in memory I can refer to the cooking instructions.

• 
  Frozen Fish
• 
  Olive Oil
• 
  Pyrex Dish
• 
  Salsa