Tilapia 3 ways-and I'm a Winner!

I've been on the tilapia fish kick lately, simply because it's a simple white fish, delicate and takes practically no time to prepare, and also very affordable at your local supermarket's fresh fish department. Also, in order to eat fresh spinach, I like to pair it with the tilapia, or just have the salad separately. Such an easy, comforting dish that not only tastes delicious, but it's healthy, and definitely works when you are trying to lose weight, or just want to eat light.
My friend invited me over for dinner, and for some reason, I love to use this friendly and happy platter she has...love the "inscription"...Life is what you make it!...yes, my friends, it's so true! If you decide to take charge of your life, you have to decide which direction to take.

You can't always be worrying about tomorrow...can't use the quote from the old song..."Let's forget about DOMANI=tomorrow...tomorrow may never come". That thought scares me, it really does. I do want tomorrow to come, and many tomorrows after that. Do take care of yourself, your health, exercise, eat right, and remember. Life is GOOD, it really is, what you make it. (Now, if you can figure out what the bottom line says, let me know, somehow I never paid attention to it.) It is a nice platter though!

This is the same salad...I call it Greek style, with feta cheese, crumbled, sliced scallions, garlic croutons, olives, chopped roasted red peppers, over fresh baby spinach...drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
I seasoned it with freshly ground sea salt, and fresh ground mixed peppers. The tilapia was halfway baked, and last five minutes topped with a crumbled feta cheese, and topped with a slice of fresh tomato.

This particular tilapia was marinated in a balsamic/dijon mustard/mayonnaise/olive oil mixture, and cooked in a preheated grill pan, over baby spinach, sauteed onion, w/sliced portabello mushrooms, sprinkled with toasted pine nuts, and crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle with the same dressing.

Tilapia #3, made same way as #2, only difference is, different dressing, and served with chunks of the fish, topped with the dressing made with white balsamic vinegar, red onions, and extra virgin olive oil mixed in food processor.


Greek Style Baked Tilapia

2-4 pieces of Tilapia fish, or other white fish
4 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, and 1 more Tbsp. for drizzle
juice of 1 lemon, and 1 lime
1 block of Feta cheese crumbled
Fresh sliced tomatoes
sea salt, and freshly ground pepper to taste

Place fish pieces on a large platter, and squeeze the juices of the lemon, and/or lime generously, all over the pieces.
Drizzle with 2 Tablespoon of the olive oil, sprinkle with the salt, and pepper, and marinate it for about 30 minutes, but not longer. In a preheated 400 degrees aluminum foil lined oven, drizzle with the remaining 2 Tablespoon olive oil, and place the fish pieces with the marinade. Bake for 7 minutes, and after that, top with slice of tomatoes, and half portion of the feta cheese, crumbling it. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, till the tomatoes get slightly softened.
Serve over rice, couscous, or spinach salad, as I presented it. Light, and delicious!


I have a huge announcement...I hit the Jackpot...no, not the Lottery, you know that's an almost impossibility, but the next best, is the CSN giveaway.
Chef Dennis, from More than a Mount Full was hosting a CSN giveaway last week, and as usual, I simply commented on his fabulous blog, as I always have, no rules, no..."follow my blog, facebook, twitter, etc." but just a comment which he truly deserves, and the best of it.
I have never witnessed a $100.00 giveaway from CSN Stores, but "lo, and behold" Chef Dennis had it, and guess what! I'm the Winner! I am beyond thrilled, excited, and oh, so, very happy!
Thank you, Chef Dennis...  and thank you CSN!

I did, decided on my order...#1, I selected a Pastry mat, Tuscan Stone style, which I will give to my daughter Lora, because she loves to bake.
2nd....I chose the Circulon 12 " Stir Fry pan, for me, because I donated 3 of my own stir-fry pans, including an electric one, to Goodwill, and now, I realized I don't have a stir-fry pan.
3rd....I chose a Bath Rug set, which is so beautiful, and it will be perfect for my little bath room.
I actually went over $15.00, but hey, it's worth it...I could have went over another $100.00, but there's a limit, I am so very very happy!
I will take a picture of my choices, when I receive them...so start following, and visit Chef Dennis blog, and all the other blogs, if you haven't, and make friends. You'll be glad, you did!