Blackened Tilapia Fillet

I’ve not always shopped at Publix.  In fact here in our suburb of Atlanta we have not always had a Publix.  When vacationing in Daytona Beach , Fla. we  fell in love with Publix.  I cannot say it was because of the pristine clean environment or the wonderful produce,  it was the bakery.  For the record it was their apple turnovers with the sugar on top.  We were in heaven!  We now have a Publix and guess what we stopped buying the turnovers.  Not because they were bad, but we did not want to buy a new wardrobe.    Publix is my friend.  I really like the fact that they give you a new recipe every week that is fast to fix and all the ingredients are right there for you to pick up.  Psychologically they really know what to do that will make you just automatically buy the right stuff!  They time it perfectly.  You go in the store starving!  The aroma of good food just hits you in the face. Then you  buy whatever they want you to buy.  I am just saying that their marketing department should be paid big bucks because they know how to work it.  Some of their recipes are fabulous!  This is one of them.

I probably have  been making this Tilapia for about 5 years.  It is easy.  It is quick.  It is good!  Use it as a main dish or in fish tacos.  Delicious!  I love to pair it with this Corn- Tomato and Avocado Salad.  If you have been spending big bucks for blackened fish from a big time restaurant here is the perfect recipe for making it at home therefore saving yourself a great deal of money.  The spices to me are just right, but feel free to adjust them to your taste.

Tilapia dipped into butter then into seasonings

Turn over after 2 minutes

Blackened Tilapia Fillet Recipe  from Publix

serves 4

• 4 Tilapia fillets
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 cup butter
• Lemon wedges

1. Preheat large heavy skillet until very hot.  I used my cast iron skillet.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
3. Dip fillets in butter, and then in dry mixture.
4. Place in hot skillet and cook 2 minutes per side until fillets are blackened.  Add salt to taste.  Serve with lemon wedges.

360 calories per serving

Happy Cooking,

The Teacher Cooks