Author Notes
I actually found the basic recipe in a magazine on a mayonnaise ad...LOL! Me being me and having issues with boring basic recipes, I changed it up a bit and customized it. My dad, who is definitely NOT a big seafood lover, loves this recipe and has actually requested it a couple of times.
Most of these ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, making this a quick and easy recipe in addition to being 'dirt-cheap.'
Frozen tilapia is really inexpensive and convenient because for this recipe, the fish does not have to be thawed. You can actually use whatever firm white fish filets [i.e. pollick, haddock, or halibut] you enjoy.
I do not recommend using no-fat or low-fat mayonnaise for this recipe because the fat in the mayonnaise is what keeps the fish moist as well making the whole taste delicious. Because of this, you don't need tartar sauce. Feel free to pass around lemon wedges to squeeze over the fish.
I used to use dried seasoned bread crumbs, but when I didn't have them in my pantry one time, I substituted finely crushed multi-grain saltines and we actually liked it better.
I also normally use grated or shredded Parmesan cheese, but you could substitute whatever cheese you might have on hand.
I serve this with oven-roasted potatoes or rice pilaf and a green veggie. —gr8chefmb
Ingredients
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1 pound
frozen tilapia filets
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1
lemon
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1 cup
mayonnaise [do NOT use reduced fat or no fat varieties]
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1 1/2 tablespoons
onion powder [NOT salt]
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1/2 teaspoon
garlic powder [NOT salt]
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1 tablespoon
dried dill [may substitute 2 tablespoons fresh dill]
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1 teaspoon
coarse ground salt
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1 teaspoon
fresh ground pepper
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1/3 cup
shredded Parmesan cheese
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16
multigrain saltine crackers, finely crushed
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. If using foil or parchment paper, spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Place fish filets on prepared baking sheet.
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In a small bowl, zest the lemon. Then, cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl. Add the mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, salt, pepper, and cheese to bowl and whisk thoroughly together.
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Use a spoon to spread mayonnaise mixture evenly over each of the tilapia filets. Sprinkle evenly with saltine crumbs. Place baking pan in oven and bake fish for 15-20 minutes or just until fish baked through and opaque. Switch oven over the broiler and broil for 1-2 minutes or just until top is bubbly and golden brown. Serve immediately.
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