Monkfish Bites in Almond Crust
- Lactose Free
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 30 min
- Cook time: 12 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Average
PRESENTATION
Monkfish bites in almond crust? They bring a taste of Italian style right to your table with a blend of simple flavors and crunchy textures. Seriously good stuff. These monkfish bites are special thanks to that golden almond crust—it gets its crispiness from almonds, breadcrumbs and a hit of lemon zest. Italians, you know, love fresh herbs like parsley and thyme, so throwing those into the mix gives everything a super fresh, aromatic flavor. Best part? The contrast: bite into the crunchy outside and then there's the soft, tender monkfish inside. It's not really claimed by any one region, but it totally fits with food you find all over Italy—simple, elegant, pretty much easy to make your own. Folks swap out herbs or play with the almond-to-breadcrumb ratio, making it unique every time you serve it.
Pair these seafood appetizers with a fresh salad or grilled veggies, keeping things light yet special. And look, the flavor combo of monkfish and almonds isn’t just tasty; it makes these a smart pick for anyone after healthy fish snacks or some new easy seafood recipes to shake up dinner. A little lemon zest wakes things up, adding a touch of tangy brightness to every bite. Works great as a fancy starter for friends, but you can totally call them dinner if you’re looking for something not too heavy. The recipe itself is flexible, so it’s easy to make it your own—add more zest, try different herbs, or make the crust extra golden for more crunch. In the world of Italian-inspired, gourmet seafood dishes, these monkfish bites always impress. And here's the thing: it’s the kind of food that gets people talking, especially when they taste that first bite of moist, flavorful fish under that crispy almond coating. Plus, it's a fun way to experiment with flavors and textures, letting you explore new culinary ideas without any fuss. Whether as a light lunch or part of a bigger dinner spread, these bites fit right into any gathering, making them a go-to choice for seafood lovers everywhere.
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- INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients for about 20 bites
- Monkfish 1.3 lbs (600 g) - already cleaned
- Almond flour 1 ¼ cup (110 g)
- Breadcrumbs ⅓ cup (40 g)
- Lemon peel ½
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Mint to taste
- Parsley to taste
- Thyme to taste
- Marjoram to taste
- Savory to taste
- Basil to taste
How to prepare Monkfish Bites in Almond Crust
To prepare the monkfish bites in almond crust, first score the monkfish fillet along the central bone 1 and remove it 2. Then cut the fillet first in half, then into cubes of about 1.5 inches 3: you will get 20. It is important that they are all the same size to ensure even cooking.
In a blender, place the basil, mint, parsley 4, thyme 5, and savory 6.
Add the marjoram 7, lemon zest 8, and blend until you get a very fine chop 9.
In a bowl, place the breadcrumbs 10, almond flour 11, and herb mixture. Mix 12 to obtain a homogeneous breading.
In another bowl, pour the oil, then dip the monkfish bites first in the oil 13 and then in the breading 14. Arrange them, spaced apart, on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and drizzle with a little oil 15.
Season with salt 16 and bake in a static oven at 482°F for 10-12 minutes 17 or in a convection oven at 428°F for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven, plate, and finish with some marjoram leaves 18. The monkfish bites in almond crust are ready to be enjoyed.