Healthy Dinner, Lemon Broiled Tilapia and Cous Cous
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a light dinner. It’s beginning to warm up in Orlando and the idea of soup or a braise when the temperature outside is nearing 80 just sounds wrong, too heavy, too rich. This is the time I want simple, clean flavors, refreshing white wine, crisp veggies, and a meal that doesn’t weigh me down. The perfect time to make fish.
Tilapia is a perfectly simple white fish to make at home. My favorite preparation is to broil it. Grilling would be nice if it weren’t so delicate, so instead I place it on a sheet pan, protected by lemon slices, enriched with just a touch of butter, and served over simple cous cous.
Cous cous is such an easy side dish that you don’t really need a recipe, just follow package instructions. Tonight, I started by sweating a small onion, 1 carrot and 1 rib of celery in olive oil, then adding chicken stock, then the cous cous. Simple and delicious, the perfect accompaniment for broiled fish.
I like to bake the fish for 5 minutes at 400 F, then put it under the broiler for another 3-4 minutes. In the past I’ve found that you can cook the entire thing under the broiler, but you may catch the parchment a little. Just baking the fish doesn’t allow the lemon slices to get that gorgeous touch of char.