How to make fish filets in garlic | Filete de pescado al mojo de ajo

This Fish Fillets “Al Mojo de Ajo” recipe is one of the quickest ways to prepare fish fillets. Just a few ingredients will render a delicious dinner in a matter of minutes. You can even use other types of fish, like cod, sole, or even salmon.
If you love garlic, then you can add some extra slices of garlic to the recipe, and if you have any of the oil leftovers, you could use it to dip crusty French bread in it!

Filete de Pescado al mojo de ajo Recipe

During this time of the year, many people observe the Lent season with fasting or with the abstinence from meat. This makes dishes prepared with fish, seafood, and legumes very popular in Mexico.  The fish markets are crowded during the early hours on Fridays, with shoppers eager to buy fresh products.  In my hometown, in the Port of Tampico, the small fish market at the edge of the river looks like the site of a religious pilgrimage, where hundreds of people are willing to pay more to have the freshest fish and other seafood products. Even though nowadays you can easily find frozen seafood products at your local supermarket, people still prefer to go to the crowded and hectic local fish market. I guess traditions are traditions!

How to make Filete de Pescado al mojo de ajo

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

DIRECTIONS:

• Season fish with salt, pepper and lime juice. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. (Please check the ingredients list below)
• Heat oil over low heat in a large frying pan. Once hot, fry the garlic slices until they are golden. Make sure to remove promptly once they are lightly golden.
• If using the flour, dust the fillets with the flour, very lightly. Now, turn the heat to medium-high on the frying pan where you cooked the garlic. Once hot, add the fish and cook on both sides. The cooking time will depend on the fish’s thickness. It will be about 2-3 minutes per side for those fillets about 1/3 inch thick, and about 5-7 minutes for thicker fillets.
• Remove this from the frying pan and place on a cooling rack with paper towel underneath to absorb any excess fat.   To serve, garnish with the chopped parsley and golden garlic slices.

This dish is usually served with white rice, a salad or steamed vegetables, and a wedge of lime. Enjoy!

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4.25 from 4 votes

FILETE DE PESCADO AL MOJO DE AJO

This Filete de Pescado al Mojo de Ajo recipe is one of the quickest ways to prepare fish filets. Just a few ingredients will render a delicious dinner in a matter of minutes. You can even use other types of fish, like cod, sole, or even salmon.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Course, Seafood

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 4

Calories: 307kcal

Author: Mely Martínez - Mexico in my Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1½ Tilapia or other fish fillets
• 1 Lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup vegetable oil (or a mix of half olive oil and half
• vegetable oil)
• 6 garlic cloves thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons parsley finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons flour optional, see note

Instructions

• Season fish with salt, pepper and lime juice. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Heat oil over low heat in a large frying pan. Once hot, fry the garlic slices until they are golden. Make sure to remove promptly once they are lightly golden, if you leave them longer they will get a bitter taste. This step takes a few seconds, so be very careful.
• If using the flour, dust the fillets with the flour, very lightly. Now, turn the heat to medium high on the frying pan where you cooked the garlic. Once hot, add the fish and cook on both sides. The cooking time will depend on the fish’s thickness. It will be about 2-3 minutes
• per side for those fillets about 1/3 inch thick, and about 5-7 minutes for thicker fillets. Do not turn the fish until every side is golden and cooked.
• Remove this from the frying pan and place on a cooling rack with paper towel underneath to absorb any excess fat. To serve, garnish with the chopped parsley and golden garlic slices. (And if you add a little dab of butter, oh heavens!)

This dish is usually served with white rice, a salad or steamed vegetables, and a wedge of lime

Notes

This recipe usually doesn’t call for the use of flour, but if you don’t have experience cooking fish, or do not have a non-stick frying pan, then the use of the flour will help you obtain a golden fish filet, and keep it from sticking to the pan or breaking while cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 6oz | Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 565mg | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 10.2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Have you made this recipe? Let me know on InstagramTag @mexicoinmykitchen and hashtag me #mexicoinmykitchen!

Provecho!

Mely,

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Easy Fish Fillets Dinner
Tuna Empanadas