Welcome to BBQPitBoys.com: Pistachio-Crusted Fish Fillets on the Grill
We're excited to share with you one of our favorite recipes, pistachio-crusted fish fillets, that are sure to impress your family and friends. Today, we'll be grilling up some delicious cod and haddock fillets, all thanks to a simple yet flavorful pistachio crust.
Fresh Catch: Cod and Haddock
We've got two types of fish on the menu today: cod and haddock. Both are mild-flavored fish that pair perfectly with our pistachio crust. The cod fillet we have here is about 8 ounces, while the haddock weighs in at a pound and a quarter. We'll be using both types of fish to show you how versatile this recipe can be.
Pistachios: The Magic Ingredient
Now, let's talk about the star of the show: pistachios. You like nuts? You've got to try these pistachios! They're some of the best there is, with a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth and complexity to our crust. We'll be using them in their shell form, as buying pre-shelled pistachios just won't give us the same experience.
Shelling Pistachios: The Hardest Part
Okay, this might sound silly, but shelling pistachios is actually one of the hardest parts of this recipe! But trust us, it's worth the effort. We'll be taking our time to shell these pistachios ourselves, and by the end of it, we've got a pound of beautifully shelled nuts ready for action.
Marinating the Fish
Now that our pistachios are shelled, let's move on to the next step: marinating the fish. We're going to soak our fillets in some milk for about 10-15 minutes, just enough time to absorb all that delicious flavor. This will help the pistachio crust stick to the fish, and we don't want to over-soak them – trust us on this one!
Melted Butter: The Glue That Holds It All Together
While our fillets are marinating, let's get started on the melted butter. We've got about a stick of butter here, or about 8 tablespoons of sweet butter. This will be the glue that holds our pistachio crust together, and we can't wait to share it with you.
Crushing Pistachios: The Final Touch
Now that our butter has melted down, let's crush these pistachios into smaller pieces. We want them to be small enough to coat our fish fillets evenly, but still big enough to provide that nice crunch. This is where the magic happens, folks!
Adding Flavor: Black Pepper and Garlic Powder
Before we start pounding those pistachios, let's add a few extra ingredients to give our crust some extra flavor. We've got fresh ground black pepper, about half a teaspoon, and garlic powder, about a quarter to a half teaspoon. These will complement the nutty flavor of our pistachios perfectly.
Pounding Pistachios: The Final Step
Time to pound those pistachios into smaller pieces! Take any kind of hammer you've got handy, and whack away until they're just right. Don't worry if it gets a little messy – that's all part of the fun!
Assembling the Crust
Now that our pistachios are pounded down, let's pour in some melted butter into our milk marinade. This will help our crust stick to the fish and breadcrumbs we'll be using. We're going to use panko bread crumbs for this recipe, which provides a nice crunch on the outside.
Breading the Fish
It's time to coat our fish fillets with our delicious pistachio crust! Take each fillet, dip it in some beaten eggs, and then coat it evenly with our pistachio mixture. Press those breadcrumbs gently onto the fish to ensure they stick.
Grilling the Fish
Now that our fish is breading-ready, let's get them on the grill! We'll be grilling both the cod and haddock fillets for about 15 minutes, or until they're nice and white on the inside and flake easily. Don't worry if you overcook it – we've got a trick or two up our sleeve.
The Final Result
And there you have it, folks! Our pistachio-crusted fish fillets are ready to be devoured. Take a look at that cod fillet – it's perfectly cooked, with a crunchy outside and moist inside. The haddock isn't far behind, with the same great flavor and texture.
The Best Way to Serve
So how do we serve these delicious fish fillets? Alongside an order of fries and some coleslaw on the side, of course! We've got the perfect combination of flavors and textures to satisfy any appetite. And don't worry – we'll be sharing this recipe with you soon, so stay tuned!
That's it for today's episode of BBQPitBoys.com. Thanks for joining us in the kitchen, where we're always cooking up a storm!