Fishing for a dinner idea? Here you go...

What's for Dinner?

When I grow up, I'm going to have an assistant to do my shopping (I promise not to throw my cell phone at her), and a chef to do my cooking. But on the days when I give my chef the day off, I'll traipse into my massive kitchen full of professional-grade appliances, and sigh dramatically right before I scream, "Where in the world did my assistant put the tilapia?!"

Enraged, I'll call my assistant and fire her. Five minutes later, I'll find the tilapia in my fridge ("Why would she put it in there?! It's so hard to find good help..."). Then I'll call her back to re-hire her while I (begrudgingly) make this myself:

Spicy Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce
1 1/2 pounds of tilapia filets
2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons of ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
Juice of one lemon
2 tablespoons of olive oil (I tend to use this or a nonstick spray often because I don't care for non-stick pans)

For the sauce
1/2 cup melted butter
Juice of one lemon
2 teaspoons hot sauce

Pour lemon juice all over the filets. Season filets generously on both sides with red and black peppers, garlic powder and salt. Heat oil over medium to medium-high heat. Gently place filets in hot pan, being careful not to move them around too much. Combine ingredients for sauce in a small saucepan, heat through. Cook fish for 3-5 minutes or so on each side. Fish should be opaque and flaking a bit when it's ready. I like mine to have a nice golden color and sort of crunchy texture on the ends. Plate and spoon lemon butter sauce over it. Garnish with lemon slices.

Best dishes,

Nicci