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!
Fish filets in garlic | 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
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 ⅓ 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!
Provecho!
Mely,
More recipes:
Easy Fish Fillets Dinner
Tuna Empanadas
Filete de pescado al mojo de ajo
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 ⅓ 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!)
Jamie
I noticed you cooked with parsley in this recipe I love cilantro could that be used instead?
Mely Martínez
Hello Jamie,
Yes, you can use cilantro.
Mrs. B
I plan to cook this today. I am assuming that the ingredients should read 1 1/2 pounds of fish and not 1 1/2 fish to serve 4 people. (?? Or should it read 1 1/2 kg.??)
Mely Martínez
Hello Mrs. B
It is 1-1/2 Lbs of fish fillets. Happy cooking!
gracie carreon
Great fish recipe can't wait to try it. Was just going to ask if you had the recipe for your white rice shown with fish. Looks Fantastic & my white rice never comes out right.
Thank you
gracie
Mely Martínez
Hello Gracie,
Yes, here is the link to the White Rice Recipe.
Alice
Your recipes are wonderful!
I'm still hoping you write a cookbook with your recipes in english and spanish!
What a treat for us!!!
mmartinez
Hello Alice,
Thank you for following. I'm in the process to finish my first Ebook.
Vicky Alvarez
Pls more easy recepi hep me a lot ..thank you
mmartinez
Hello Vicky,
Thank you for visiting the blog. Check this link to see all the easy recipes in the blog.
http://bit.ly/2H7G5e4
sabrina loria
Thank you for all the great recipes ... making my life easier
Millie
Looks delish and being quick and easy is a big plus in my book ! lol.
I just happen to have tilapia in the freezer, too.
Cathleen
I have always wanted to cook with fish fillet, but have never got around to it. But this looks amazing! Your photos are gorgeous!
Estrella Fash
Omg Mely, that looks so good!! great pictures..yummy!!
Farrah
xo
Rebecca Subbiah
this looks so good, love simple fish dishes