Tilapia Ideas

I love fish and seafood, but don't get to eat it often since I live by myself. It's impractical to bake a salmon or cook a whole fish for one person. I might have to eat salmon for the rest of the week! That's why I love tilapia fillets- it's the perfect size for one! Costco sells frozen individually wrapped tilapia fillets, which is convenient. Or you can buy fresh tilapia, wrap individual fillets with plastic wrap, and freeze them yourself. I usually take out 2 tilapia fillets from the freezer to defrost overnight in the fridge, cook them for dinner, eat one and save one for lunch the next day!

In the past, I only knew how to bake tilapia fillets. Pan searing is quicker and a great alternative when you don't want to turn on the oven. Plus, I think it's just as delicious! Feel free to experiment and change things up by mixing other seasonings in with the flour before coating the fish. Some ideas: Old Bay seasoning, cayenne powder, onion powder, garlic salt, paprika, etc.

Pan Seared Tilapia (from allrecipes.com)

2 tilapia fillets
Salt and pepper
1/4 c. flour
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. melted butter

Directions:

1. Rinse tilapia filets under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of each fillet with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish, and gently coat tilapia fillets by pressing each side in flour and shaking off excess. 
2. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then cook tilapia in hot oil for about 4 minutes per side, until fish is flaky. Remove fish from skillet and brush with melted butter.