Just this spring we took our girls out fishing for the first time. My husband and I used to fish almost every week. We had a little boat and we would go out to catch trout, catfish, wipers, and even crawfish. Our diet was full of freshly caught fish and our hearts full of amazing memories. Fast forward a few years and a couple children later. Fishing isn’t nearly as fun and relaxing. That is probably why we haven’t made it a part of our weekly routine. We really do fish having fresh fish all the time as well.
Our girls are two and three now and the fishing itch flared up now that we moved just 10 minutes from a reservoir. With our destination just a few minutes away in case of any meltdowns my husband and I bravely packed up our dusty gear and two shiny new “Frozen” brand fishing poles.
Upon arrival, it is almost like my oldest remembers fishing in the womb. She pulled out her rod with a rubber test fish attached and cast like a pro. She loved it. Her eyes lit up every time someone threw a line in. The waiting was very hard for the girls (and the being quiet part). I had loaded up a picnic basket of snacks and we watched the sunset over the Stansbury Mountains. There really wasn’t much action until just as we left. It was getting cold as the sun was behind the mountain now but we were finally getting bites. Just before we called it a night (and I ventured to the grocery store to “catch a fish”) we got one on. My husband helped my three-year-old reel it in and I don’t know if there has ever been such a happy child.
The whole way home she tried to stay awake so that she could cook her fish. That is what was most important to her. Eating the fish she caught. Despite the ride only taking 10 minutes both girls were sound asleep before we got home.
The next morning the only thing she talked about was eating her fish. So we did what any great outdoorsy parents do and fired up the grill for a fresh fish breakfast. She helped me cut up the lemons and tiny pats of butter and place them inside and on the fish. We put a little thyme, salt, and pepper on the fish as well. After sealing him up in a tin foil pouch we placed him on the grill. I swear she did not move from beside the grill the entire time he cooked.
When the fish cooled enough to eat we dished up a few bites each (he was a pretty tiny fish). I will never forget how proud my baby was as she was eating and kept asking how the fish she caught for us tastes.
All of us have a story surrounding food, a memory that is near and dear to our hearts. What are some of the memories you have around food? What traditions are you hoping to pass on? I think a breakfast made of the first fish of the season will become a staple in our house.
Here is the recipe for grilling up a perfect fresh fish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner:
2(1-2 lb) trout, cleaned with head and tail intact, patted dry
1 lemon sliced thinly
6-8 sprigs of thyme
4 tbs of butter sliced into thin pats
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
- Preheat the grill to 400*
- Place each fish on their own sheet of aluminum foil that has been drizzled with a little olive oil.
- Inside the fish place lemon slices, a few pats of butter, a few sprigs of thyme and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Repeat on the top of the fish.
- Fold the foil up around the fish to create a pouch.
- Cook on the grill about 15-20 minutes or until the fish is cook through and flaky.
- For dinner serve with Plentiful Pantry Lemon Pepper Pasta (or whichever flavor you like best)!
ENJOY!
