Fried Tilapia

Ok...so, I have a confession.

Fish, fish intimidates me. Ok, well, any fish that's not wrapped in tinfoil with butter and lemon and then thrown in my oven.

I'm always worried I'll make it too dry or I won't cook it enough. Or the whole dish will just fall apart and I'll be stuck holding a bill for $20 and a rumbly stomach.

Well...NO MORE! Last weekend I sauted cod for the first time and I was stunned with the ease of cooking that fish. And tonight, I breaded Tilapia and fried it. Who knew breading was so easy to make too?




Ingredients
1 egg white
1/4 cup of water
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
4 fillets of tilapia (or cod, or whatever fish you want) About 3 oz each
1/2 cup - 1 cup oil for frying (be your own judge)

breading
1/3 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp italian seasonings
1/8 tsp dried jerk seasonings (or cayenne if you have it, I didn't)

This is the easy part!

1. Soak your tilapia in the first 3 incredietns (egg white, water and juice) for 5-10 minutes. While doing so, place the oil in the pan and turn it up to medium heat so it'll be nice and ready for your fish.

2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a long flat dish.

3. Coat the fish in the breading material and then place in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown (about 5-10 minutes tops really).

And... ta-da! All done. I'll never know why I was so intimidated! I also want to try this breading on Chicken. Something tells me it'd taste great!

Oh also, I found out how easy it is to make homemade Tarter Sauce.

Ingredients
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 tsp sweet relish (more if you want it)
1 tbsp lemon juice (if desired)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix and chill for an hour. Ta-da! You just saved $4 at the store.