How to Make Tilapia Encrusted with Almonds and Spices

I love eating fish for the health benefits, but I tend toward the tasteless type, because I don't really like eating fish. If you are like me, here is a great way to get more protein and fish into your diet, while making it taste great, not to mention the benefits you get from eating nuts and olive oil.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 Tilapia fillets
• One half cup roasted almonds, salted or unsalted, depending on your taste
• Fresh or dried...basil, oregano, and thyme
• One clove fresh garlic
• Tbsp. Olive oil

1. 

   Using a food processor, pulse the almonds until finely ground. Then add the spices. If you are using fresh basil, oregano, and thyme, then add one tsp. If you are using dried spices, add one tablespoon. Pulse until the spices are mixed with the almonds

2. 

   Use this to coat your Tilapia fillets in. Do this by layering the mixture on a plate and gently pressing the Tilapia fillets into it on both sides. Set aside for at least ten minutes for the layer to "set."

3. Heat a frying pan coated with olive oil to medium high heat. On an electric stove, this is between a 5 and 6 setting. Add the almond crusted Tilapia and cook covered for 3 minutes, then uncover. Watch closely, lifting the fish periodically to see if the bottom is getting dark golden brown in color (roughly 5 minutes,) before turning. After turning, cook another 3 minutes. Fish is done when it flakes easily at its thickest part.

4. 

   Serve with a light salad if dieting, but really, this will taste good with any side dish.

Tips & Warnings

• You have a minute or two window between overcooking fish, so watch it carefully. That means you have to have your side dishes ready to go.
• I like using frozen Tilapia. Freezing kills dangerous germs and these fish tend to be fresher smelling and tasting to me if cooked after being bought frozen. If you use fresh fillets, make sure you smell them before buying. If they smell fishy, shy away.

[raddisonspade]

on 8/19/2009 I tried this last night and it was great.