Light Fish-Shaped Meal

Featured in: Everyday Dinners

This delightful dish showcases tender white fish fillets shaped like a fish and topped with thinly sliced vegetables arranged to resemble scales and fins. Baked to perfection, it offers a light, healthy option featuring fresh zucchini, bell peppers, and olives for decoration. Ideal for a quick, nutritious lunch or elegant starter, it's seasoned simply with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper, finished with fresh parsley for a burst of flavor.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:02:00 GMT
A light fish-shaped meal with colorful veggie scales: baked and ready to enjoy now! Save to Pinterest
A light fish-shaped meal with colorful veggie scales: baked and ready to enjoy now! | bloomoven.com

A playful, healthy dish designed in the shape of a fish, featuring fresh vegetables and tender white fish fillet. Perfect for a light lunch or an elegant starter.

This recipe brings fun to mealtime and impresses guests with its creative fish shape.

Ingredients

  • Fish: 2 small white fish fillets (e.g., cod or sole, ~120 g each), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetables: 1 small carrot, 1 small zucchini, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/2 yellow bell pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • Decoration: 4 black olives for eyes and scales, 2 slices cucumber for fish mouth and tail

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Shape Fish:
Lay the fish fillets flat and use a sharp knife to trim one end into a point (the fish head) and cut small notches along the sides for fins.
Season Fish:
Brush the fillets with olive oil, sprinkle with lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Place them on the prepared tray.
Add Vegetables:
Use thin slices of carrot, zucchini, and bell peppers to create colorful scales on top of the fillets. Reserve a few slices for the tail and fins.
Decorate:
Use an olive slice for the eye and a cucumber slice for the mouth. Arrange remaining vegetables to form the tail and fins.
Bake:
Bake in the oven for 12 15 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and the vegetables are tender but vibrant.
Serve:
Carefully transfer to plates, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
This light fish-shaped meal shows a flaky white fish, tender veggies, and black olive eyes. Save to Pinterest
This light fish-shaped meal shows a flaky white fish, tender veggies, and black olive eyes. | bloomoven.com

This dish has become a favorite family lunch bringing smiles all around.

Required Tools

Sharp knife, Baking tray, Parchment paper, Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains fish. May contain traces of allergens depending on fish source. Double-check ingredient labels if unsure.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 180, Total Fat 7 g, Carbohydrates 8 g, Protein 22 g

Freshly baked light fish-shaped meal with a cucumber mouth and parsley garnish, served on a plate. Save to Pinterest
Freshly baked light fish-shaped meal with a cucumber mouth and parsley garnish, served on a plate. | bloomoven.com

A delightful and creative dish that's easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Recipe FAQs

What type of fish is best for this dish?

Small white fish fillets like cod or sole work best, as they hold shape well and cook quickly.

How can I decorate the dish to resemble a fish?

Use thin vegetable slices as scales, olives for eyes, and cucumber slices for the mouth and tail.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

It's best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the vegetables and fillets in advance and assemble before baking.

Are there alternative proteins for this meal?

Salmon can be substituted for a richer flavor, or tofu can be used for a vegetarian twist.

What seasoning enhances the flavors without overpowering?

A simple mix of olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper brings out the natural flavors beautifully.

Light Fish-Shaped Meal

Tender white fish paired with vibrant vegetables, crafted into a playful, light main dish.

Prep Duration
20 min
Cook Duration
15 min
Entire Time
35 min
Created by Rachel Moore

Recipe Group Everyday Dinners

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type International

Makes 2 Portions

Dietary Info No Dairy, No Gluten, Reduced Carb

Ingredient List

Fish

01 2 small white fish fillets (e.g., cod or sole, approximately 4.2 oz each)
02 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
04 Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables

01 1 small carrot
02 1 small zucchini
03 1/2 red bell pepper
04 1/2 yellow bell pepper
05 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Decoration

01 4 black olives
02 2 cucumber slices

Directions

Step 01

Prepare oven and baking tray: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 02

Shape fish fillets: Lay fish fillets flat, trim one end into a point to form the head, and cut small notches along the sides to resemble fins.

Step 03

Season fillets: Brush fillets with olive oil, sprinkle lemon zest, salt, and pepper, then place on prepared baking tray.

Step 04

Arrange vegetable scales: Thinly slice carrot, zucchini, and bell peppers, then layer on top of the fillets to mimic colorful fish scales, reserving some slices for tail and fins.

Step 05

Add decorative elements: Use olive slices for eyes and cucumber slices for mouth and tail formation; arrange remaining vegetables to complete the tail and fins.

Step 06

Bake fish and vegetables: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until fish is cooked through and vegetables remain tender yet vibrant.

Step 07

Garnish and serve: Carefully transfer to plates, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Essential Tools

  • Sharp knife
  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper
  • Cutting board

Allergy Notes

Review ingredients to spot any allergens and ask your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains fish.
  • May contain traces of other allergens depending on fish source.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Use this info as a reference only; it doesn’t replace health guidance.
  • Caloric Value: 180
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Proteins: 22 g