Tilapia is a fish belonging to the cichlid family. Although native to Africa, it is enjoyed by people all around the world. It makes a great ingredient for various recipes.
History of Tilapia
This fish is native to the Middle East and Africa. Illustrations on Egyptian tombs show evidence for this fish being raised more than 3,000 years ago. It also was called St. Peter’s fish which is a reference to the Bible where this fish was fed to multitudes.
Appearance Of Tilapia
The fish is silver and scaly on the outside. When the outer skin is peeled off, the inside appears to be pink in color. Finally, the flesh of this fish is white in color.
Flavor Of Tilapia
Tilapia tastes sweet and mild. It doesn’t have a fishy flavor and is a little flaky.
Culinary Benefits
There are many delicious recipes that you can prepare with this fish. A simple recipe that’s easy to prepare at home is to bake this fish in some lemon juice, chili powder, and black pepper. The lemon and the chili give the fish a tangy and spicy flavor that works well with the mild flavor of the tilapia.
You can also bake tilapia in some butter and garlic, which also enhances the flavor of the fish. Frying this fish is also a good option as it holds together well without falling apart. Coat the fish in some parmesan cheese and spice it up with some pepper, onions, and olive oil. Don’t forget to try out this delicious fish with herb butter recipe.
A tasty weeknight dish that you can prepare is tilapia with cilantro lime cream. This 30-minute cook is a great entrée. It’s prepared in a delicious sauce of lime juice, zest, cilantro, and heavy cream. Serve this hot with some salad and a glass of wine!
If you like Thai food, you can try out the baked tilapia with tamarind sauce. The fish is marinated in tamarind sauce and then served with rice and some chopped scallions and radishes. This dish is tangy, sweet, and a little sour – delicious!
Sous vide this fish and you can use it in a variety of recipes as mentioned here.
Seafood a la king is another fun way to enjoy fish and shellfish if you are into it. Tilapia, shrimp, and crab are all cooked together in a white creamy sauce with vegetables. It is a scrumptious meal served with hot cooked rice.
Put your grilling skills to work by preparing flaky tilapia fillets! Add lime, a little oil, and some salt and pepper. Serve this hot with some fish tacos or steamed rice. This recipe makes a nice hearty dinner and it is something you should definitely try making!
Storage
To extend the life of your tilapia fillets, store them in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for around 3-4 days. This fish can last for about 6-8 months in the freezer.
Feature Image: sasiwimon phetawut from Pixabay
