Spicy Blackened Tilapia with Spinach Garlic Rice

I love easy and delicious meals. This is one of my favorites. When I want something healthy, quick, inexpensive and delicious, I make this dish. I usually keep frozen tilapia in the freezer for quick meals and I always have rice on hand. There’s always a great recipe for each.

I happened to buy a very large bag of spinach at my local warehouse store to add to my juicer in the morning. I wondered how I could use  it. This recipe came to me because I love rice with fish. Mixing spinach in with the rice is a good way to add something healthy. I use Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning Blends for fish, which is found in most grocery stores.

INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

Tilapia:

4 tilapia filets

3 tbsps. of butter

¼ cup of blackened seasoning

1. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, just use a regular pan.

2. Add butter.

3. Coat filets with blackened seasoning.

4. When butter is melted, add fish to pan and cook for approximately two to three minutes per side until browned.

Rice:

1½ cups of brown rice (or regular white rice substitute)

3 cups of water

3 cups of fresh spinach, chopped

1 tbsp. of garlic

¼ cup olive oil

1/3 cup of salsa (optional)

1. Boil water.

2. Add rice to boiling water. Cook until done.

3. Heat garlic in oil in a microwave safe bowl for approximately 30 seconds.

4. Add spinach to oil along with cooked rice and mix well.

5. If you like, add salsa.

6. Season with salt and pepper.

This dish will surely be a weekly staple in your house. You can always just broil the fish with lemon, salt and pepper if you don’t like blackened seasoning.

Stay safe and eat great, Canton.