Citrus Herb Foil-Baked Tilapia with Colorful Fiesta Rice
Indulge in a vibrant and nutritious meal with this Citrus Herb Foil-Baked Tilapia accompanied by Colorful Fiesta Rice. This dish features tender tilapia fillets gently steamed in a zesty marinade of lemon and orange juices, infused with subtle notes of Mexican oregano. The colorful fiesta rice, imbued with turmeric and loaded with fresh vegetables, complements the fish beautifully, creating a delightful contrast. Perfect for an effortless dinner and minimal cleanup, this recipe is not only easy to prepare but also visually stunning and packed with flavor. Ready in under four hours, it's an ideal choice for family meals or entertaining guests. Enjoy the taste of sunny flavors with every bite!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tilapia fillets
4 (4-6 ounce, marinated)
Lemons
2 (thinly sliced)
Sunflower oil
1/4 cup (for marinade)
Orange juice
1/4 cup (for marinade)
Lemon juice
4 tablespoons (for marinade)
Lemon pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Mexican oregano
1 dash (for marinade)
Reynolds Wrap Foil
4 sheets (12X12, heavy duty)
Long grain rice
2 cups (cooked with turmeric)
Water
4 cups (for rice cooking)
Sunflower oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing vegetables)
Turmeric
1/2 teaspoon (for rice cooking)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Onion
1/2 cup (diced)
Red bell pepper
1/2 cup (diced)
Fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup (cooked)
Canned black beans
1/2 cup (drained and rinsed)
Jalapeno
1 (finely diced)
Cumin
1 dash (for seasoning)
Cilantro
1 teaspoon (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the fiesta rice: In a pot or rice maker, combine 2 cups of long grain rice with 4 cups of water. Add the turmeric and a pinch of salt to the water. Cook according to rice package instructions. Once cooked, fluff the rice and set it aside to cool. This can be made ahead of time.
2
For the tilapia marinade, in a medium bowl, whisk together the sunflower oil, orange juice, 4 tablespoons lemon juice, and a dash of Mexican oregano. Place the tilapia fillets into the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for up to one hour, but no more to avoid 'cooking' the fish in the citrus.
3
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare 4 sheets of heavy-duty Reynolds Wrap Foil, cut to approximately 12x12 inches.
4
On each sheet of foil, place 3-4 thin slices of lemon on one half. Position a marinated tilapia fillet on top of the lemon slices. Season the fillet with salt and lemon pepper, then drizzle some of the remaining marinade over each fillet. Fold the foil over and crimp the edges tightly to create a sealed package, ensuring no steam escapes.
5
Arrange the foil packets on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. When done, let the packets rest for a few minutes before carefully opening them – be cautious of the hot steam that will escape.
6
While the fish is baking, heat 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until golden brown. Stir in the diced red bell pepper, fresh corn, and minced jalapeño. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 3-5 minutes.
7
Add the prepared rice and drained black beans to the skillet, stirring until everything is heated through. Season the mixture with salt and a dash of ground cumin to taste. Remove from heat.
8
To serve, place a generous scoop of the colorful fiesta rice on each plate. Gently lay a piece of foil-baked tilapia on top. Drizzle with any accumulated sauce from the foil packets, garnish with the lemon slices, and sprinkle with chopped cilantro before enjoying this delicious meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus Herb Foil-Baked Tilapia with Colorful Fiesta Rice?
It is a vibrant, nutritious meal featuring tilapia fillets steamed in a citrus marinade and served with a vegetable-packed turmeric rice.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What kind of fish is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically uses four 4-6 ounce tilapia fillets.
What are the main ingredients for the tilapia marinade?
The marinade consists of sunflower oil, orange juice, lemon juice, and a dash of Mexican oregano.
How long should I marinate the tilapia?
Marinate the fish in the refrigerator for up to one hour, but no longer to prevent the citrus from 'cooking' the fish.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long does the tilapia bake in the oven?
The foil packets should be baked for 12-15 minutes.
What type of rice is recommended for the fiesta rice?
Long grain rice is used for this recipe.
What gives the fiesta rice its yellow color?
The addition of 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric to the cooking water gives the rice its colorful hue.
How do I prepare the foil packets?
Place lemon slices on a 12x12 inch sheet of foil, top with the fish and marinade, then fold and crimp the edges tightly to seal.
What vegetables are included in the fiesta rice?
The rice includes diced onion, red bell pepper, fresh corn kernels, and minced jalapeno.
Are there beans in the rice?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 cup of canned black beans, drained and rinsed.
What spices are used to season the fiesta rice?
The rice is seasoned with salt and a dash of ground cumin to taste.
What type of foil is best for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using heavy-duty Reynolds Wrap Foil.
Is there a specific oil used for sautéing the vegetables?
Sunflower oil is used for both the marinade and for sautéing the vegetables.
Can the rice be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, the rice can be cooked and cooled ahead of time before being combined with the vegetables.
What should I be careful of when opening the foil packets?
Be cautious of the hot steam that will escape when opening the sealed packets.
What is the recommended garnish for this dish?
Garnish the final dish with lemon slices and chopped fresh cilantro.
How much water is needed to cook the rice?
Use 4 cups of water for 2 cups of long grain rice.
How do I cook the vegetables for the rice?
Sauté the onion until golden, then add the bell pepper, corn, and jalapeno for 3-5 minutes until tender.
What seasoning is applied directly to the fish fillets?
The fillets are seasoned with salt and 1/4 teaspoon of lemon pepper.
Is the jalapeno in the rice hot?
The recipe uses one minced jalapeno, which provides a mild heat that can be adjusted to preference.
What size should the foil sheets be?
The foil sheets should be cut to approximately 12x12 inches.
Does the recipe require a specific type of oregano?
Yes, it specifies Mexican oregano for the marinade.
What is the first step in preparing the fiesta rice?
Combine rice, water, turmeric, and salt in a pot or rice maker and cook according to package instructions.
How do I finish the rice before serving?
Add the cooked rice and black beans to the sautéed vegetables and heat through before seasoning with cumin.
How do I arrange the fish for baking?
Arrange the sealed foil packets on a baking sheet before placing them in the oven.
Is this recipe easy to clean up?
Yes, baking the fish in foil packets ensures minimal cleanup.
What is the total preparation and cooking time?
The dish is ready in under four hours, including marinating time.
Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh?
While the recipe calls for fresh corn kernels, frozen corn can be used as a convenient substitute.