Tilapia and Rice with Oven Roasted Vegetables and Baked Apples

It's getting colder, the leaves are changing colors, and Thanksgiving is upon us!  So I thought I should start by getting into the autumn mood for dinner.  Now, I am unsure if tilapia actually counts as an autumn food, but at least my dessert did!  Both dinner and dessert were fairly quick and easy, so dinner was ready in no time at all.

Ingredients for tilapia

2 fillets tilapia
4 oz brown rice
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp crumbled blue cheese
1 stick celery, sliced
1 carrot, sliced
1/2 bell pepper, sliced
1/4 onion, sliced
1/2 sweet potato, sliced
1/3 cup peanuts
Splash lemon juice

Directions

1. Cook brown rice according to manufacturer directions.
2. Wash and slice vegetables and place in roasting dish along with peanuts and 2 tsp EVOO.
3. Cook vegetables at 400F for 20-25 minutes.
4. 5 minutes before rice and vegetables are to be cooked, heat 2 tsp EVOO in pan.
5. Sprinkle cumin, salt, and pepper over tilapia.
6. Place tilapia in pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes or until opaque on both sides.  Splash a little lemon juice over fish halfway through cooking.
7. Divide rice and vegetables and top with fish.
8. Enjoy with a well deserved glass of wine!
(Recipe adapted from marthastewart.com)

Serves 2 people

TIPS

- Use your favorite vegetables and herbs to season the tilapia. 

Ingredients for baked apples

2 apples, diced
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp brown sugar
Splash lemon juice

Directions

1. Wash and dice your favorite apples and place in pyrex dish. 
2. Add remaining ingredients to apples and toss well.
3. Place in oven at 375F for approximately 20-25 minutes until soft and juicy.
4. Enjoy this perfect autumn dessert alone, with ice cream, or with yogurt.
(Recipe adapted from PBS.org)
Serves 2 people

TIPS

- PBS also suggested eating the apples as a side dish with roast beef.

Bon appétit!

Mediterranean Tilapia

I am not your mother's worst nightmare as a picky eater, but I am the first to say that fish has never been my favorite food, despite its great health benefits.  My taste buds do not go much further than salmon and tilapia.  I enjoy these fish grilled on the BBQ, but since I will not have access to a BBQ for the next two years, Dad showed me a great recipe I can use.  This is a very tasty and healthy meal which only takes about 20 minutes to cook. 

Tilapia is quite a bland fish.  Dad sautéed it in a tomato salsa and served it with rice and stir fried vegetables.  Cook rice according to packet directions and start vegetables and tilapia at approximately the same time.

Ingredients

3 fillets tilapia
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 garlic gloves, minced
3 spring onions, chopped
1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes, drained
2 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp salt

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic and sauté until softened.
3. Add wine, tomatoes, and parsley; simmer 5 minutes.
4. Add fillets and simmer until fish turns white and flaky (approx. 5 minutes).
5. Complement with stir-fried vegetables.

6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
(recipe adapted from Dillon's grocery store)

Serves 3 people

TIPS

- Check out the meat counter at your local Dillon's store for free recipe cards!!
- Note how the circles of courgette and carrot contrast with the lengths of celery and spring onions.  Nice touch, Dad!

Bon appétit!