Sunday, February 28, 2010

Pecan-Crusted Tilapia


There's a stall at my local famers market that sells the most amazing toasted pecans I've ever eaten in my life. I don't know how they do it, but they taste like happiness and I just can't get enough.


I recently tried pistachio-crusted halibut in a restaurant, and I really enjoyed the crunchiness of the nuts paired with the tender fish. Soon after, while savouring my daily snack of pecans from Heaven, I wondered how they would work in a similar recipe. Ooh, an experiment of the delicious kind!


I coated fresh tilapia fillets by submerging them in an egg wash, then a seasoned flour mixture, and once again in the egg; then, I pressed them into the toasted pecans that I crushed by putting them in a plastic bag and bashing them with a rolling pin (fun!) After a short fry in vegetable oil, the fish was ready for Jeff and me to enjoy.


The pecan-crusted tilapia couldn't have turned out any better. Both crispy and flavourful, it was a nice change from the usual bread crumbs (don't worry, panko, I still adore you! I just need a little variety!) This is a very special way to eat fish at home, and it's easy to do. I would eat it with guests at a dinner party, I would eat it by myself in my pyjamas; I would eat on a boat, I would eat it with a goat; I would eat it in the rain, I would eat it in a ditch somewhere (is that how it goes?)

As a little aside, fish needs a potato. I tossed some blue potato chunks with olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper, and roasted them with the rest of the fresh rosemary that I had kicking around from last week's lasagna, removing the stalks before serving. Rosemary and potatoes is a combination that I just love!


I don't know what else to say but to try this recipe as soon as possible. I'm sure any type of fish or nut would work, but trust me that tilapia and pecans are a great match. I love discovering new favourites. Here's to successful culinary experiments! 


Pecan-Crusted Tilapia : The Recipe

Ingredients
1 large egg
All-purpose flour
Kosher salt
Fresh cracked pepper
Smoked paprika

1/2 lb toasted pecans

2 fresh tilapia fillets
vegetable oil for frying
kosher salt

Directions
Place pecans in a sealed plastic bag, and crush with a rolling pin or a heavy mug.
Beat egg with a little bit of water and place in a shallow dish. Cover a shallow dish with all-purpose flour, mix with kosher salt, pepper, and paprika. Spread crushed pecans in a third shallow dish. Pour 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet, heat to medium heat.
Pat tilapia fillets with paper towel to remove moisture. Coat both sides of fillet in egg wash, then flour, then egg wash again. Press both sides into crushed pecans, shake fillet gently to remove excess.
Fry fillets in oil, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle immediately with kosher salt.
Enjoy!

9 comments:

  1. I'm with you, toasted pecans make anything better.

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  2. The tilapia looks lovely, as do the potatoes!

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  3. Love nut crusted fish. This looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Looks delicious...I love pecans...Great recipe!

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  5. Oops, I commented from a different account... The tilapia looks delicious! I love the idea of pecan crust!

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  6. Karen - They sure do!

    Justine - Thank you very much!

    Laura - You're very welcome, thanks to you for stopping by!

    Bo - Thanks, Bo! I was quite pleased. :)

    Sook - Thank you! You should definitely try it.

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  7. Holy Mackerel...or rather, Tilapia, that looks wonderful!

    I've tried pecan-crusted Salmon, but hadn't considered trying pecans on Tilapia.

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  8. Thanks for visiting, Marysol! I bet the pecans would be equally as good on salmon. I'll have to try :)

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  9. I have had pecan crusted halibut several times but finally tried this and it is wonderful thank you...

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