Recipe Time!-Baked Tilapia w/ Shiitakes and Pepper

          It’s time for another fish dish! A single-dish dinner that is both light and healthful… and a little indulgent at the same time especially if you use butter. XD Serves three, two if the diners are total gluttons like myself.

          It’s also time for me to show off my love of using mushrooms in my cooking—mushrooms are one of the unique gifts of nature I love to use and educate others about! This recipe calls for Shiitake mushrooms which are a known medicinal and one of the most popular fungi worldwide. If you have difficulty finding them for this recipe, don’t hesitate to try another choice species in their stead—oyster mushrooms, porcinis or creminis would work especially well!  

You’ll need (Equipment):

-Deep cast-iron skillet/oven-safe pan.

-a good serrated knife and

-a good spatula

-Cutting board

-aluminum foil

You’ll need (Ingredients):

-Three filets of tilapia (about 16 oz of meat)

-Six very fresh medium-size Shiitakes (about 6 oz)

-1 whole red bell pepper

-2 tablespoons of butter (substitute with coconut oil/olive oil mix for super-healthy version)

-½  teaspoon each of chopped basil, ground black pepper, ground dried garlic, sea salt, paprika and rosemary.

-1 large bay leaf

How do:

          First, prep your veggies. Slice the pepper into long slices, make sure your mushrooms are thoroughly cleaned with a damp cloth (don’t subject them to much more than a light rinse!) and remove most of the tough stems. Slice lengthwise. Layer the bottom of your pan/skillet in your peppers and mushrooms along with 1 tablespoon of your butter.

          Next preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Get your fish ready by dividing the filets into six roughly equal sized long pieces. Next, layer your fish pieces in a row on top of the shiitake and peppers. Evenly shake or sprinkle each of your spices and herbs over the top before adding the remainder of your butter to the top of the fish (butter or coconut oil works really well here, as you can just pop a dab of it onto each fish piece).

          Now cover your pan/skillet in aluminum foil before putting it in the oven. Fish doesn’t take long, so stay on guard! In about 35 minutes check the fish to make sure it is fully cooked, flaky and moist. Remove, plate up, and go omnomnomnom. Oh yeah! And remove the bay leaf. XD They’re a little tough, maybe use it as a garnish?