Recipe Time Out: Cajun Fried Tilapia

Today I offer you a new menu choice for your Lent Fridays:  Cajun-Seasoned Fried Tilapia.  I got this from the September 2009 issue of Southern Living Magazine.  It’s super easy and tasty.  Although it has Cajun seasoning, I don’t think it would be too spicy for little ones—but you should temper your sprinkling of the filets to adjust to your child’s tastes.

Serves 4.

 

Ingredients:

4 (4-6 oz.) tilapia filets

1.5 tsp. Cajun or Creole seasoning, divided

3 Tbsp. self-rising flour

½ cup plain yellow cornmeal

1 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. olive oil

Lemon (optional)

Instructions:

 

Sprinkle filets with 1 teaspoon of seasoning.  Combine remaining seasoning, flour and cornmeal.

Dredge fillets in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.

Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add filets and cook 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes with a fork.

Squeeze lemon over filets, if desired, and serve immediately.

Note:  Instead of fish, you can use 8-oz skinless, boneless chicken breasts, or 8-oz bone-in, center-cut pork chops.  I have never done this, however, so I can’t speak to the results.  Let me know if you try it!