Thursday, February 3, 2011

Pan Grilled Tilapia with Chimichurri

I made this several weeks ago, and just rediscovered the picture today.  As I remember it was quite yummy and not too difficult.


The recipe came from Cooking Light, and they used halibut. But tilapia is so cheap and we all like it (well,except the girl), so I just went with that.  They served theirs with a rice and charred vegetable mixture, so I did too. Here are the recipes:

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2  tablespoons  chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh basil
  • 1  tablespoon  finely chopped shallots
  • 1 1/2  tablespoons  olive oil
  • 1 1/2  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2  teaspoon  salt, divided
  • 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • Cooking spray
  • 4  (6-ounce) halibut fillets (or tilapia)

Preparation

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl; stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper over fish. Add fish to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with sauce.
Rice with Charred Veggies:

Cook 1 cup long-grain white rice according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Heat 1½ tablespoons olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add ½ cup thawed frozen whole-kernel corn and ½ cup chopped zucchini to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until vegetables are charred. Stir in ½ cup halved grape tomatoes and 1⁄3 cup chopped green onions; sauté 1 minute or ­until tomatoes almost wilt. Combine vegetable mixture, rice, and ¾ teaspoon salt.

I'm still in a bit of a cooking slump, as I'm trying not to consume so many calorie/fat/butter laden things. Although half the time, I'm failing dismally.  But hey, that's half better than I was doing before. I tried a "light" creme brulee recipe that was an epic fail. Not even worth a picture.  I do think I'll be indulging on Superbowl day, I've got a cheese ball in mind and maybe some rotel dip. And something sweet of course.  
A couple of days ago I tried a bit of an odd crockpot chicken recipe I had seen on some message boards.  I just threw 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts in the crockpot with a cup of ketchup, some garlic powder, chopped onion, and a can of diet coke.  Turned out surprisingly tasty,and very tender.  Was really good made into sandwiches.  

19 comments:

Jhonny walker said...

aha! a perfect multi taskable dish. Love the fresh ingredients!!

The JR said...

Looks very good. The colors make the 1st one so appealing.

♥peachkins♥ said...

I love tilapia and I also love your new lay-out!

Brownieville Girl said...

Love the fish dish - I'm still trying to be "good"!!

The chicken idea sounds interesting - I love ham cooked in coke, so I'm open to this one!

teresa said...

the fish looks so clean and healthy! i love the chicken too!

Lunch Buckets said...

What on earth made you even consider the ketchup and coke chicken? Morbid curiosity?

Also. Why IS tilapia so cheap? And why was there no tilapia and then all of the sudden BAM! tilapia. The whole thing kinda weirds me out. Not that it would stop me from eating it of course.

Julie said...

#1. I believe everything the internet tells me so if they said put mud in my crock pot I'd probably do it.
#2 I have no idea.

Kim said...

Julie - I feel your pain in the losing weight department. I really should be cutting back, but I just can't find the motivation. It sounds like you're doing a good job. I love the looks of the tilapia, but love the rice with charred veggies even more. I am also a fan of throwing chicken in the crockpot and covering it with any sauce while it simmers. It's easy, it's healthy, and it's always tender.

Enjoy your splurging this weekend!

Reeni said...

The tilapia looks like something I would love! And the chicken and coke - unique! I feel your pain - I just went two weeks without sugar or flour - and still baked for my family. They owe me.

theUngourmet said...

Who can resist a cheese ball for Superbowl!

Your tilapia looks great. My daughter loves fish but my son can't stand it. I always have to make him something else. Oh well. ;)

Monet said...

Isn't Tilapia a wonderful fish? We like it around our house too. Your meal looked so fresh and vibrant. Yum! And I love the simplicity of the slow cooker chicken idea. I need more recipes like that! Thank you for sharing, sweet friend. May your Sunday be one of peace and love.

Monica H said...

I like tilapia too and that looks so fresh and healthy. I've never seen a chimichurri quite like that- it's almost salsa like.

Krista said...

Gorgeous dish! I love all of the ingredients. This could easily be dinner at our house!

The Blonde Duck said...

This is right up my ally. Fish and Mexican!

Catherine said...

Cooking Light is one of my very favorite magazines. I love the sound of this recipe. It looks so healthy and light. I'm sure it was delicious!

Leslie said...

Oh delicious! I am glad you found the photo! What a delicious dinner!

grace said...

of all the fishies i've tried, tilapia has been the least offensive (that's saying a lot), and i love your chimichurri!

Joanne said...

This tilapia is so colorful and healthy! My kind of meal.

Eliana said...

This tilapia looks like it's just bursting with flavor. I love it.