Spicy Lemon Tilapia

I’ve been trying to incorporate more protein in my diet.

I have this bad habit of forgetting protein altogether, and subsiding on my favourite foods: vegetables, nuts, fruit and chocolate.

It may be delicious and give me a zingy sugar high, but I also I need some protein to feel my best!

While I normally enjoy a plant-based diet and find my protein from beans, leafy greens and protein powders, I also occasionally like to splurge on some organic meat.

The other night I went to Whole Foods with the intention of roasting an organic chicken for dinner, but when I saw the prices I thought “Helll no.”

Good organic meat comes with a hefty price tag, and while I will always pay extra for quality (and a better environment), my budget was still saying “Helll no” to chicken.

And then I saw 8 big filets of organic wild tilapia fish for 25 dollars and I said “Helll yes!”

Tilapia is a great base fish.  It is a light, white fish, that usually comes in thin fillets for a very reasonable price. It’s kind of like the tofu of fish, as it’s taste is very clean and simple, but it takes on seasonings really well.  I love using it for fish tacos, bouillabase, or with salads!

I went home and immediately froze 6 filets (that’s 6 more dinners!), marinated the remaining two, and after the sauce had sunk in whipped myself up some spicy tilapia to go with a clean salad.

I finished it off with the piece de resistance: lemons! I squeezed two big lemons all over my fish and salad and puckered up for a delicious home cooked meal.

It was sweet, spicy, and very friendly to my budget!

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Spicy Lemon Tilapia

• Tilapia
• Olive oil
• Chili powder
• Cayenne
• Paprika
• Pink sea salt
• 1/2 onion
• Romaine
• Cucumber
• Tomato
• 2 lemons

1. Marinate a couple of filets in olive oil and spices, let sit for at least 20 minutes.
2. Chop onion and simmer in olive oil until soft.
3. Turn the heat up and fry your Tilapia until browned on each side.
4. Cover with lid and let steam 5 minutes or until fully cooked.
5. Assemble salad.
6. Plate your dish and squeeze fresh lemon all over.

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Tagged as: health, lemon