Dash of Paprika: as Fragrant as a Basa Fillet Can Get

Before you read the ingredient list and think, well I don't have those? Let me start by saying this: I have been very lucky to collaborate with a lot of cooking/oil and other produce companies, through which I discovered amazing kitchen staples such as lime olive oil and smoked paprika infused salt. I am not saying everyone has to get these (I am, the brand is Zoë Olive Oils), there are indeed ways in which you can imitate the taste and I will tell you about those today (however they are an awesome family-owned company and you should absolutely give their countless oils and sauces a try!). This is in no way a paid publication, they have just gifted us many boxes in the past few years and discovering their products truly sparked my culinary curiosity furthermore and made me develop even more creative approaches to cooking whilst expanding my mind. I would be gifted orange olive oil and think, how do I make Chinese orange chicken or sticky orange tofu? It would make me research, try new things and cook the 'unknown'- that all sounded very dramatic but it truly felt that way. One new ingredient can make you discover 45 different new recipes and change the way you shop for food altogether. So I strongly encourage you to view your next meal this way: look at an oil, or a random can you have sitting around in your pantry and build the meal from there. You might be very surprised by how creative you can get with flavours! I don't, however, recommend this experiment when your guests are on their way over and or paired with loads of Chardonnay. But if it's not the case, let the games begin. Trial and error, that is.

What you will need,

Basa filet (2)

Chopped parsley (3 stems)

Minced garlic (2 cloves)

Paprika (1 tbsp)

Sea salt

Black pepper

Garlic & Herbs butter (1 tbsp)

Lemon oil (2 tbsp-I tried lime oil as well and both were great!)*

*Of course, you can mix regular olive oil with a fresh lime or lemon's juice. Although the lemon olive oil is fragrant and delicious, I understand not wanting to run out for a replacement!

A step or two,

1. Melt the butter

2. Dry the fish by soaking the extra water with paper towels

3. Pat basa with salt and pepper

4. Mix the melted butter and oil together and brush all over the fish

5. Sprinkle paprika, parsley and garlic- rub in, if desired

6. Cook at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes (I even like to broil it for 2 minutes at the end because I love it crispy!)

What to serve with it:

-Roasted vegetables platter (purple potatoes, leek, French shallots and paprika-garlic salt with olive oil- which you mix together and roast at 350 degrees for 40 minutes) with,

-Sautéed spinach and sliced yellow onion with basil salt and olive oil (in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat, stir onions and olive oil and let simmer for 4-5 minutes while stirring frequently, then add spinach and stir until shrunk and wilted)

Ta-dah! Your prep took you minutes and you have yourself a fancy and flavourful meal.