There comes a day in every dad’s life when chicken nuggets just won’t cut it with his kids.
That day arrived long ago for me. Chicken nuggets remain a stable fallback, but the kids will also destroy lots of Dad Food. This includes ribs, wings, steaks, burgers, and fish.
And these kids, they don’t eat the way the birds eat.
Gorton’s must have known that. Maybe that’s why they recruited us to test drive their Grilled and Simply Bake line. They sent us a review pack that included:
- Full-value coupons, to facilitate our digging in
- An insulated tote (to jam pack with Gorton’s and keep the Coke Zero chilled)
- A hardback copy of The Sparkpeople Cookbook. It contains such scrumptious recipes as Raspberry Streusel Muffins, Slow Cooker Lasagna, and Lemon Chicken with Spinach Pasta
- A hardback copy of The Spark Book. It outlines a breakthrough plan for losing weight and getting fit
- A Sparkpeople Boot Camp DVD
Download a special offer from Gorton’s here. You can win a prize pack that includes coupons, an insulated tote and more. Stick around to find out how.
We picked the Smart & Crunchy breaded fish filets. We also chose the Skillet Crisp garlic and herb tilapia. I feared the word “smart” would scare off the kids. They’re onto grownup speak for “healthy.” The crispy crust won them over, though.
Especially when paired with Grace’s homemade tartar sauce.
Smart & Crunchy breaded fillets
These suckers check in with 50% less fat than regular Gorton’s fish fillets. And they’re just 200 calories. So, did the taste get left out in their baked crispiness? No.
These healthy alternatives were a hit. They’re a snap to fix.
They’d have been excellent in a leftover fish sandwich – if they made it to leftovers.
Coach Daddy kid rating: 4 of 5 starfish
Skillet Crisp garlic and herb tilapia
The fillets came out of the bag looking like champs, but the tilapia debuted timidly. They had an industrial feel in the skillet. They didn’t pack the punch their breaded brethren did there. But on round 2, Elise tossed them in the oven. This time, they were delicious!
Coach Daddy kid rating: 3 of 5 starfish in the skillet, 4 of 5 starfish in the oven
Now it’s your turn
Don’t forget to download coupons here for Gorton’s.
Register for the 30-day Realistic Resolution Challenge with Sparkpeople (Hurry! Offer ends Jan. 30, 2015).
Like and follow Gorton’s on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. (don’t forget the hashtag #RealisticResolution)
Leave a comment on this post. You’ll be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a prize pack that includes all these goodies:
- Two full-value coupons for Gorton’s products
- An insulated tote (pack it with Gorton’s and chill the Coke Zero until dinner time)
- A hardback copy of The Sparkpeople Cookbook
- A hardback copy of the Spark book
- A Sparkpeople Boot Camp DVD
Good luck!
*Winner to be drawn at random by using random.org on Feb 5, 2015. Drawing open to U.S. and foreign residents only. Not good with any other offer. Coupons have no cash value. Results are not typical. Consult a physician. Actual Internet speed may vary. Items are closer than they appear. No purchase necessary.
Just a dad ... 
You know you are so lucky to have Elise! She’s always got some tricks up her sleeve, right? I always make food like this in the oven – because I don’t want to clean the pan. Less chores, remember?
It’s 10am around here. Too early for me to be thinking about fish. Always the right time for some home made bread with Nutella though 🙂
I really am. She’s handy in the kitchen, too. Great strategy on the pans – although I love using my non-stick pans and my iron skillet.
I thought you Europeans ate fish for breakfast. Do you have Gorton’s there?
Elise rocks 🙂
There’s Europeans and Europeans. Neither have Gorton’s though.Our popular frozen fish brands are Findus (Swiss) or Iglo (German)
I’m strictly no-fish when it comes to breakfast. However I do wish I had a skillet for pancakes!
Doesn’t she?
So Europeans don’t trust the Gorton’s fisherman? Findus sounds kind of fishy.
A skillet is best for pancakes. Makes them taste like they came from a pancake house!
I love how you said, “Gorton’s Must Have Known”. Seriously, great review and giveaway, too 😉
Thanks Janine! We leave no fish fillet unturned at our house.
I have been thinking about buying these, how crazy that I would go on WordPress to get my review! Now I which ones will make their debut in my house. Thanks Eli!
Good luck in the drawing, Josie! I think you’ll like these, and the prize package is awesome. Especially the insulated tote!
good to know, great reviews – the kids at school are always confused when any kind of nugget is served. some ask for more, ‘chicken, fish, meat, or that nugget thing.’ i understand completely. the ones who are veg never connect our nuggets with anything in the meat family of food, which i understand also.
kids don’t even care what animal is inside – or if it’s just bread. just keep the dipping sauce coming. good luck in the drawing!
So are you going to share the recipe for Grace’s tartar sauce??? Does it negate the healthy-ness of the fish?
I think I will, when I announce the winner next week! I don’t think it offsets it too much … moderation and all. Plus, no preservatives!
Fishsticks are a fave here with the boys! I usually cook salmon for us, but they won’t touch that. So I need these on hand to please everyone!
OH and I NEED that cook book! LOL!
The cookbook is awesome. Good luck with the giveaway – you’ll love it.
There are some incredibly delicious varieties. My girls gobble up my salmon, so it’s good to have a lot on hand.
Their taste matured very quickly when it comes to seafood. My middle child loves crab legs!
Thanks for the chance! Your meals look yummy!
Thanks Stephanie – it was delicious. Good luck with the drawing!
I grew up loving fish sticks. Nothing quite like them. I have to admit it’s been a very long time since I bought any frozen fish – sticks or otherwise. I do find them to be very handy for quick fish tacos, though, which are on the menu this week. Homemade tartar sauce is a must. Are you going to share Grace’s with us? And yes, any kind of nugget is just a vehicle for the sauce. Same goes for any kind of finger appetizer, tortilla chip, cracker, etc.
Frozen fish has come a long way! this stuff is gourmet. and the kids’ tastes have evolved, too. I think they expect good stuff like this now … no going back to fish sticks! By popular demand, Grace’s recipe will appear next week when I announce the winner. It’s all about the sauce, right?
Gorton’s is a staple in our house. We always have a giant bag of fish sticks in our freezer. They have so many other varieties that they have something for every taste.
Gorton’s has good grownup stuff, too. My fish has turned into their fish!
Oh, c’mon! There’s always a space for fish sticks – you just have to buy the right kind. Good to know there’s some good options for fillets, too! Now I need fish and chips.
Maybe you’re right. There ought to be a freezer shelf where nuggets and fish sticks co-exist. Fish and chips would be delicious right now. Who am I kidding? An hour ago, and an hour from now, too.
Always love how quick and easy these make a meal
Especially on soccer practice nights!
I love fallback foods like this for dinner, but mostly I love workout DVD’s…so enter me in, please!!
You’re entered! I need to get that DVD in the machine. That’s how it works, right?
Your talents know no bounds Mate, fish reviewer. Who would have known? I’m impressed. Now I love my fish, especially with chips, I’ve also been known to inhale several fish fingers (sticks). I don’t usually eat chicken nuggets, since I found out a lot of them are actually very young veal. Anyway, tartare sauce, a slice of lemon, a lump of grilled Barramundi, or Cod plus a heap of chips and I’m a happy little camper.
I do it all, mate. Especially eat. Fish fingers sounds like a good name for a racehorse. Young veal? That’s more offensive than kangaroo meet at Burger King.
I don’t even know what Barramundi is, but I love the sound of that plan, Laur. Maybe even for the big game Sunday.
Eating is good mate. Fish fingers has a ring to it, it’s funny how we all have different names for the same things. Apparently veal from very young calves is used and flavoured. They also use tripe. Now kangaroo meat is pretty much like venison. Barramundi are members of the perch family and live in freshwater and estuaries. They can grow up to 4 foot long and weigh 90 lbs. Oh and they taste bloody beautiful. I’d have the fish and chips after, it’s snacks and beer for the game isn’t it?