Tasty Bites: Broiled Tilapia Parmesan

By Beth V

I am always on the look out for a great fish recipe - one that complements the flavor of fish and in which the fish doesn’t taste “fishy.” This is a delicious fish recipe that will please both adult and child-like taste buds -tender, flaky, mild-flavored tilapia with a creamy yet zesty broiled topping. It takes a minute or two to prepare and less than 10 minutes to cook, so it is perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

First, grab a bowl and mix together ½ cup parmesan cheese, ¼ cup softened butter, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/8 teaspoon celery salt.

Next, preheat your oven to broil and place the tilapia filets on a baking sheet coated with baking spray. Broil 4-5 inches from the heat for two minutes.

Flip the filets and broil 2 minutes longer. Remove the pan from the oven and evenly divide the parmesan topping over all of the fillets, generously coating the top of each. This is going to turn into bubbly, melty deliciousness, trust me.

Place the fish back under the broiler for an additional two minutes. The topping will start to melt and then get brown and bubbly. Pull it out when it reaches the brown and bubbly stage. It is important not to overcook this quick-cooking fish to preserve its tenderness.

I served our Broiled Tilapia Parmesan with buttered whole-grain pasta with garlic and parmesan cheese and sautéed spinach.  It is also delicious with brown rice or even with just a salad. This pleased the palates of everyone from my 16-month old daughter to her very tall Daddy.

Enjoy!

Broiled Tilapia Parmesan

From Allrecipes.com

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon celery salt

2 pounds tilapia fillets

1. Preheat your oven to broil. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients and set aside.

3. Place the tilapia fillets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place 4-5 inches below broiler and broil two minutes.  Using a spatula, flip fillets and broil an additional two minutes.

4. Remove pan from the oven and evenly divide the topping over all of the fillets, generously coating each. Place back under the broiler for two minutes until browned and bubbly. Be careful not to overcook.

Beth is a stay-at-home mom of three wonderfully active children ages seven, four and one. She is married to Jason V (who also writes for us here at MAD21) and spends her days teaching, changing diapers, sweeping up Cheerios, stepping over Legos, keeping peace among the kids, and enjoying the creative outlet of cooking.

Comments

[Janice]

Sounds yummy Beth! We eat a lot of Tilapia, so I am going to do this the next time!

[Heather]

You may have just convinced me to try and cook fish for the very first time EVER!! You know what they say "Fish are friends, not food".