Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Healthy Recipe - Pesto Tilapia

This is one of my favorite quick, easy, and healthy dinners!  I love fish, and I love pesto, so its a great combination.  I usually serve this with some vegetable on the side, like green beans, or asparagus. 




The pesto is made with just basil, parmesan, pine nuts, and olive oil. The recipe states to grind it in a mortar and pestle. I dont own one, so what I do is grind it in a mini food processor (the magic bullet from the informercial)I have a real food processor as well, but the pesto sauce is so small that it fits better in the magic bullet.   This is what it looks like

Magic Bullet Express 17-Piece High-Speed Blender Mixing System










Heres the recipe!


Ingredients:

Tilapia with Homemade Pesto

* 1 1/2 bunches fresh basil (about 1 1/2 cups lightly packed)
* 4 ounces toasted pine nuts
* 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 4 pieces (6 ounces each) fresh tilapia
* 1 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

Preheat broiler. Grind the basil, pine nuts and grated Parmesan cheese with a mortar and pestle (or magic bullet) until a smooth paste forms. Slowly add 1/4 cup of olive oil, grinding until a smooth sauce forms. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, use a food processor instead.

Season the pesto to taste with salt and pepper. Season the tilapia with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and cook the fish for 1 to 2 minutes on the flesh side or until it turns light golden brown. Flip the fish over and spoon the pesto generously over the fish.

Transfer pan to the broiler and broil for 2 to 3 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. Remove fish from broiler and allow to rest on a plate. Serve fish hot.

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