These Fish Taco Bowls are a simple, healthy meal that will quickly become a family favorite!
Despite a natural lack of anything that could be called “groove,” I was a drummer for all of two months in high school.
I learned one song to play with the school jazz band, mostly to impress a boy (spoiler: nailed it. The lesson here is be someone you’re not to land a husband… not really). While I wouldn’t say I rocked it, it was so satisfying to watch my progression from complete ignorance into competence.
What was previously impossible became muscle memory. That muscle memory was important because you’d better believe my hands were shaking when it came time to perform.
When I first started blogging I knew very little about food photography. I had taken a number of photography classes in high school and college. I had browsed food blogs and eyed up the delicious food they were serving.
Still, I was fairly ill-equipped when it came to taking eye catching photos that could be seen as both delicious and professional. While I still have a ways to go, this has been another fun adventure in learning and growing a skill.
Tasty Food Photography is an ebook by Lindsay Ostrom of Pinch of Yum . I ordered this book a few months after starting my food blog and I credit it with teaching me so much about photography and editing.
I’ve mentioned before that I don’t have much time to take pictures. Tasty Food Photography really helped me streamline my photo editing process to make the most of what I am able to capture. It’s also full of great tips on lighting, set up, and basic camera functions.
I love Lindsay’s recipes because she’s a pseudo-vegetarian and chocoholic like me. With mentioning her ebook I thought it might be fun to pick one of her recipes to make that would be difficult to photograph (read: messy) so I could put the skills I learned from the book into practice.
I found this recipe for spicy fish taco bowls and put my own spin on them (specifically making them less spicy for my babies and husband). I can tell Jeron likes what I’ve made if he asks what the dish is called. A few bites into these fish taco bowls I got the fateful question, and I know he’ll be asking for it again!
From drums to dinner, it never hurts to impress your husband.
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Fish Taco Bowls
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch garlic powder
- 3-4 cod fillets, or other white fish such as tilapia
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed, or fresh corn cut off the cob
- 1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
Optional garnish
- Avocado
- cilantro
- lime
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the fish (I didn’t use all of it, but you could if you like things spicier) and salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add the fish and cook, undisturbed, for several minutes per side. Check the middle of the fish for doneness. It should flake easily and be opaque throughout. Remove the fish from the pan and set aside.
- If necessary, add another drizzle of olive oil to the pan and add the onion, pepper, and corn. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp tender, about 7 minutes. Add the black beans and heat through.
- Layer rice, bean mixture, and fish in a bowl and top with avocado, cilantro, and lime juice if desired.
Hezzi-D says
Your photo is gorgeous! I seriously need to learn how to take better pictures. I’ve finally mastered lighting but now I need to master composition.
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you! There are still times where I think I’m taking a great picture and look at it later to realize I should have set things up differently. We all have something to work on!
bb says
I thought this was going to be vegetarian, then saw the fish. Not vegetarian, but sound good. Photography is very nice!
Melanie @ Hope's Kitchen says
Thanks for sharing your giveaway link on the Fortify Facebook page! One thing I have enjoyed learning how to do is blogging! A few years ago I didn’t even know what a blog is and now my blog is up and running. I love blogging and still have lots to learn 🙂 I would love to win a copy of the food photography book! I would love the help!
Lindsay Moe says
Blogging is still such a new medium. I think we will all have a lot to learn for years to come!
Denice says
How many calories are in this dish
kelley @ Miss Information says
That looks so yummy I bought that book and have not read it yet this is what I needed to see to remind me! Thanks!
Holly Waterfall says
I have loved attempting to learn how to bake. It hasn’t really come easy for me. There are times when I have to really work at it. But I am loving the journey! and would LOOOOVE to have this book. I’ve been trying to win it for a couple weeks now.
gillian @ the haas machine says
Yum! We love fish tacos, so we will have to try these. I’ve been meaning to buy this ebook for sometime… so I really hope I win! Thanks for sharing.
gillian @ the haas machine says
I didn’t read the question before I commented… I’ve really learned how to cook WITH my husband. We both have sometimes very different styles of cooking, so it’s something that we have had to have a lot of grace with each other. We’ve had most of our disagreements in the kitchen, but also some of our favorite moments as well!
Lindsay says
Thanks Lindsay! I love these photos – they look so bright and fresh!
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Lindsay!
Alice Seuffert says
Love this post, it is so beautiful and looks delicious! One thing I have loved learning is baking pies!
Lindsay Moe says
Good for you! I’m terrible at making pies, maybe that should be my next project!
Heidi says
I’m enjoying learning how to cook gluten-free. Now I’d love to learn how to photograph it better! Thanks for the chance to win.
Lindsay Moe says
Gluten free cooking can seem overwhelming at first but there are so many great resources out there now. Good luck with your photography!
Shari says
The tacos look delicious! Beautiful photos, too!
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you! These were definitely a winner.
Katie @ Veggie and the Beast says
Your photos are beautiful! I like that you chose something that’s not inherently “pretty,” yet made it look so nice and colorful.
Regarding the entry question – I’ve enjoyed learning how to make bread. It’s something that had always intimidated me, so the first time I got it right I felt like a champion 🙂
Lindsay Moe says
I’m totally intimidated by bread! I just don’t think I have the patience (or warmth) for all the rising.
Rebecca P. says
I have loved learning how to cook. I am proudly self-taught through trial and error
Lindsay Moe says
Me too! The trial and error makes the success that much sweeter.
Ann says
Creating lower fat/lower sugar recipes for my family.
Angela says
I’ve enjoyed learning to be creative. There are so many ways to do that- cooking, crafts, sewing, art, writing, teaching.
Lindsay Moe says
I love cooking as a creative outlet! When you think about it, it’s not that far from painting or sculpting.
Katie says
I’ve loved learning how to make/perfect sometimes “scary” or intimidating items in the kitchen. When my batch of macaron shells came out of the oven with a perfect little foot on them…I cried. Haha!
Lindsay Moe says
Way to go on the macarons! I haven’t tried those yet, they do seem intimidating!
Emily says
Looks great!
Christina says
I have a very fussy husband and it’s challenged me to find dishes that he likes without so many things that are staples to most people (think onions and rice and corn, among many other things). When we were first married I hated it, but now I try to embrace it as a challenge to make me be more creative in the kitchen. Starting to enjoy cooking again!
Erika says
Looks amazing!
Lauren says
My husband and I made this and loved it! It’s a great gluten free recipe! Thanks!
Lindsay Moe says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
mary says
It’s delicious. Didn’t have avocados at home but did have sour cream and salsa verde. Added just a little of both. Will definitely make this again!
Jeanette says
Love the Fish Taco Bowls….followed recipe less the black beans (just not into black beans) ..used arugula versus the cilantro…otherwise all other ingredients the same. Even my husband, Mr Picky-Poo about trying something new, liked it and said “you can make this one again”…Thanks for sharing.
Jana says
Any idea on the calorie count?
Lindsay Moe says
I haven’t taken a calorie count, but there are some websites out there where you can enter all the ingredients and how many servings you split it into and they will pop it out for you. I think My Fitness Pal might do something like that.
Natalie says
Tried this!! Amazing, but I added a lot of salt, because the rice made it bland. Also I made the fish and veggies at the same time in 2 different pans because the fish got really cold. Loved it!
Lindsay Moe says
I’m glad you enjoyed it Natalie!
Virginia says
I would like to know the serving size of this recipe. Thank you.
Lindsay Moe says
This makes about four servings.
Ann Marie says
Hi. I made this tonight, but with chicken breasts, pounded, instead of fish. I can’t wait to try it with fish, but I didn’t have any on hand. Great dish, will def make again.
Aida says
These fish taco bowls look delicious. You have a great eye for photography composition.
Kourtney says
I just made this recipe. The flavors were great. It just needs some thing to bind it. It was a little dry. I did add fresh tomatoes just to give it a different texture along with the avacado, lime and cilantro.
Jennifer says
This recipe was FABULOUS. Thanks so much for posting!
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Jennifer, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Mary says
I’ve made hundreds of recipes that I’ve found wandering about the internet, but I’ve never felt compelled to leave a comment or any kind of feedback – until today! I made this recipe last night and I was absolutely delighted. My husband and I both thought the recipe was delicious! The spice of the fish, combined with the creamy coolness of the avocado, highlighted by the sparkling, light crispness of the lime juice, added so many layers of flavor and textures that we just couldn’t get enough. I plan on adding this recipe to my top 5 favorites and making often for friends and family!
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop and leave a few kind words. I’m so glad you and your husband enjoyed this dish!
Maria says
Tasty recipe for sure. We didn’t have lime juice, but added sour cream, salsa, and a little salt to liven it up. Will be making again for sure. Thanks!
Lindsay Moe says
Great ideas! Glad you enjoyed it!
Sarah says
Made this last night and love it! Only thing I changed was adding some shredded lettuce to make it a little more of a salad.
Your website has helped me learn that I am a way better vegetarian cook than a meat cook (even though this one has fish in it). Even my fella is stoked on our vegetarian shift. Thanks for yet another amazing recipe.
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and for sharing your adaptation! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.