Comfort Food: Creamy Garlic-Parmesan Red Drum with Spinach

Ingredients

• 450 g red drum fillets
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic
• 0.75 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• 2 tbsp cream cheese(optional)
• 200 g fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp lemon juice(optional)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (15 minutes): Pat the red drum dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Mince the garlic. Grate the Parmesan. Wash and drain the spinach.

2. 2

   Sear (about 10 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets and sear until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side (do not fully cook through). Transfer fish to a plate.

3. 3

   Make the creamy garlic sauce (about 10 minutes): Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and cream cheese (if using) and simmer gently until slightly thickened, about 3–5 minutes.

4. 4

   Finish (about 5 minutes): Lower heat to medium-low. Whisk in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes. Return the fish to the skillet and spoon sauce over it; cook until the fish is just cooked through, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and parsley (if using) and serve immediately.