Allergic to smoke from grilling foods? For picnic outings, bring a grill pan to avoid cooking over direct heat or fire. You may add a little oil to pan-sear those luscious fish fillets. It’s not pan-frying so health-conscious picnickers would have no worries about too much oil. Use non-sticky pans to make sure that foods will not stick while cooking.

Pan-grilling is also a good alternative when an electric grill is not available. This method is so simple, even a non-cook can produce a presentable and delectable fish dishes for the picnic meal.

The tricky part would be the making of different sauces that would enhance the taste of pan-grilled fish fillets and slices. Fortunately, you can buy lots of commercially-prepared sauces in jars and bottles. Although homemade concoctions would still taste best.

Like grilled fish, pan-grilled fish also goes well when served with vegetables: sauteed, parboiled, pan-grilled along with the fish, and just fresh. Cook green peas, corn kernels, and carrot bits in butter. Or just blanch baby carrots and baby corns along with strips of cabbage. White onion rings will look and taste great when cooked inside and around the whole fish. For something crunchy and crispy, serve pan-grilled fish with slices of cucumber and shreds of lettuce.

If you like it very, very simple, just drizzle you’re pan-grilled fish with creamy cheese and sprinkle finely ground white pepper or garlic powder. Don’t like cream or cheese? Dip your fish in apple cider or wine vinegar.

Tips on Pan-Grilled Cooking Method

Heat pan until smoke appears on the surface. Brush olive oil on the pan before placing the fish steaks on the center.
Do not move fish while cooking. Using a spatula, nudge the fish gently. If it moves easily, it is ready to flip over.
Frozen fish should be thawed properly. Pat dry before grilling to minimize release of excess juice.
Do not use butter when cooking because it tends to darken. Use olive oil or grape seed oil so that it will not burn at medium-high temperature.

If fillet has skin, start cooking with it on the pan. Lower heat to avoid burning.

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