Chef Jason Hill prepares a Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia recipe with Sautéed Peppers that's healthy and delicious. Tilapia is now one of the Top 10 fish consumed in America. In fact, four ounces of tilapia has just over 100 calories, 21 grams of protein, and no saturated fat or cholesterol. We recommend only U.S. farmed tilapia, followed by those farmed from Central and South America. Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch warns that tilapia from China and Taiwan may be contaminated.
To begin, toast about 1 cup of cornmeal in a large saute pan over medium heat. After about 2 minutes, set the cornmeal aside in a large 13x9 casserole dish.
Next, we're going to prepare the sauteed pepper topping. Whatever sauce you don't use, can easily be frozen.
Place about 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat and add 1/4 of a thinly sliced onion, 1 seeded and sliced pasilla or poblano pepper, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper and 1 thinly sliced green bell pepper.
After that cooks down and becomes soft, add 1/2 cup of water, 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 small diced tomato, 1/2 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. tomato paste and 1 bay leaf. Stir and simmer about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens up. Keep over very low heat until ready to serve, and season to taste with a bit of salt and pepper.
Next, season each tilapia filet with salt and pepper, and roll in the toasted cornmeal. Make sure to coat both sides well.
In a large saute pan, heat about 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. When the pan is hot, fry the tilapia until crisp and brown — about 4-5 minutes each side.
Serve with a generous topping of the sauteed peppers and steamed basmati rice.