Homemade Fish Sticks

Every once in a while I like what I call a "kid meal". For lunch, that will mean a peanut butter and jelly with carrot sticks, a juice box, and fruit snacks. (Are people supposed to outgrow PB&J? Because I sure haven't yet.) For dinner, it's something like this meal. Fish sticks, macaroni and cheese, and green beans. But this isn't your blue box and yellow wearing fisherman kind of "kid meal". What's really awesome though, is that it doesn't take that much more time.

Here's the break down of how I put this meal together:

• Prep green beans, set them aside to marinate
• Get water boiling and pasta going
• Prep fish sticks
  
• Get the fish sticks and green beans in the oven
• Drain pasta and prepare mac and cheese
• Fish sticks and green beans out of the oven
• Meal served

You can't tell me that takes much longer than the boxed meal. And of course, making it all yourself means knowing exactly what (and how much) is going into your food. I also think that these fish sticks are well worth any extra effort. The panko really adds a nice crunch and there is no freezer burn after taste.

Homemade Fish Sticks
((slightly)Adapted from Elly Says Opa)

2 white fish fillets (such as tilapia or cod) ~1 pound
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups panko
heaping 1/4 tsp onion powder
heaping 1/4 tsp garlic powder
heaping 1/4 tsp paprika
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 450. Prepare a baking sheet by placing a wire (cooling) rack over the tray and lightly spraying with non-stick spray.

Cut the fish into strips.

In a shallow bowl, mix together the panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, and canola oil. Place the egg in separate bowl.

Coat the fish sticks by dipping the strips into the egg first, then the panko mixture. Place the coated strips on the wire rack and bake for about 10 minutes, or until fish flakes easily, rotating pan halfway through.

Have you ever tried Wasabi Mayonnaise? I bought some at Trader Joes and it was AWESOME with the fish sticks!