Email This
Tilapia has become a common fixture on North American tables in the past few years, thanks to its mild flavor, low cost and ease of preparation. Native to Africa, white-fleshed tilapia is familiar enough to be used in comfort food recipes calling for cod or trout, and exotic enough to be used in tropical dishes. Tilapia is commonly found at the supermarket in ready-to-cook boneless, skinless fillets that are individually flash frozen -- a healthy convenience food that can be cooked straight out of the freezer -- or as fresh fillets. Whole tilapia is sold in some grocery stores and most fish markets; ask to have the whole fish cleaned and scaled (but not filleted), and it's easy to fix a traditional grilled tilapia recipe from Ghana with just a dusting of flour and basted with melted butter.
When it comes to grilling fish, grilling baskets aren't a necessity, but a wide, slotted spatula or a fish turner will come in handy, and is a must-have if you grill fish frequently. When prepping for grilled tilapia recipes, be sure that the grate has been preheated for at least ten minutes, and oil the grate with a basting brush (never spray cooking spray onto a lit grill).
Basic Grilled Tilapia Recipes, with a Twist
Chef Paula Deen adds a spicy citrus marinade to her Zesty Grilled Tilapia recipe: let the fillets soak in olive oil mixed with orange zest and juice, fresh ginger and a touch of hot sauce for about an hour before grilling for about 5 minutes a side.
Tilapia pairs well with mango, as a side or incorporated into the dish. Grilled Tilapia with Mango from Taste of Home adds dill and parmesan cheese for a different take on a classic tropical dish. Or try a grilled tilapia recipe featuring homemade pineapple salsa that takes just minutes to prepare.
For a quick dish with a gourmet flair and Mediterranean flavors, try Bobby Flay's Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter, Capers and Orzo. This tilapia recipe calls for a white wine/lemon juice reduction -- sounds tricky, but all it means is that you heat the wine and juice mixture until about half of the liquid cooks off and the sauce thickens slightly.
Tasty Tilapia Tacos
Fish tacos are hot on restaurant menus, and tilapia is a perfect fish to use for your own homemade version, using the recipe for Grilled Fish Tacos with Chipotle Lime Dressing. Don't be daunted by the long list of ingredients -- most of the components of the marinade are common pantry items, and many can be substituted in a pinch (forgot to pick up limes? Use extra vinegar, or substitute lemon juice), and ingredients can be adjusted to your family's tastes. After the fish has marinated for 6-8 hours, this tilapia recipe is quick, just grill and prep the toppings.
Foil Steaming
"Grilled" tilapia can even be steamed over the fire, when wrapped in foil with vegetables, as with Eating Well's Tilapia and Summer Vegetable Packets. This summery tilapia recipe combines fresh cherry tomatoes, summer squash and green beans with olives and capers, and, once everything is wrapped up, takes only about five minutes on the grill.
Email This
Tilapia has become a common fixture on North American tables in the past few years, thanks to its mild flavor, low cost and ease of preparation. Native to Africa, white-fleshed tilapia is familiar enough to be used in comfort food recipes calling for cod or trout, and exotic enough to be used in tropical dishes. Tilapia is commonly found at the supermarket in ready-to-cook boneless, skinless fillets that are individually flash frozen -- a healthy convenience food that can be cooked straight out of the freezer -- or as fresh fillets. Whole tilapia is sold in some grocery stores and most fish markets; ask to have the whole fish cleaned and scaled (but not filleted), and it's easy to fix a traditional grilled tilapia recipe from Ghana with just a dusting of flour and basted with melted butter. When it comes to grilling fish, grilling baskets aren't a necessity, but a wide, slotted spatula or a fish turner will come in handy, and is a must-have if you grill fish frequently. When prepping for grilled tilapia recipes, be sure that the grate has been preheated for at least ten minutes, and oil the grate with a basting brush (never spray cooking spray onto a lit grill).
Basic Grilled Tilapia Recipes, with a Twist
Chef Paula Deen adds a spicy citrus marinade to her Zesty Grilled Tilapia recipe: let the fillets soak in olive oil mixed with orange zest and juice, fresh ginger and a touch of hot sauce for about an hour before grilling for about 5 minutes a side.
Tilapia pairs well with mango, as a side or incorporated into the dish. Grilled Tilapia with Mango from Taste of Home adds dill and parmesan cheese for a different take on a classic tropical dish. Or try a grilled tilapia recipe featuring homemade pineapple salsa that takes just minutes to prepare.
For a quick dish with a gourmet flair and Mediterranean flavors, try Bobby Flay's Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter, Capers and Orzo. This tilapia recipe calls for a white wine/lemon juice reduction -- sounds tricky, but all it means is that you heat the wine and juice mixture until about half of the liquid cooks off and the sauce thickens slightly.
Tasty Tilapia Tacos
Fish tacos are hot on restaurant menus, and tilapia is a perfect fish to use for your own homemade version, using the recipe for Grilled Fish Tacos with Chipotle Lime Dressing. Don't be daunted by the long list of ingredients -- most of the components of the marinade are common pantry items, and many can be substituted in a pinch (forgot to pick up limes? Use extra vinegar, or substitute lemon juice), and ingredients can be adjusted to your family's tastes. After the fish has marinated for 6-8 hours, this tilapia recipe is quick, just grill and prep the toppings.
Foil Steaming
"Grilled" tilapia can even be steamed over the fire, when wrapped in foil with vegetables, as with Eating Well's Tilapia and Summer Vegetable Packets. This summery tilapia recipe combines fresh cherry tomatoes, summer squash and green beans with olives and capers, and, once everything is wrapped up, takes only about five minutes on the grill.