Crispy Herb-Infused Whole Red Tilapia with Velvety Sauces
Elevate your dining experience with this elegant recipe for Crispy Herb-Infused Whole Red Tilapia. Known for its firm texture and mild flavor, red tilapia takes center stage in this dazzling dish. Perfect for seafood enthusiasts, this recipe comes with a delightful twist: it transforms the natural earthy notes of the fish into a subtly sophisticated flavor profile by utilizing zesty lemon, fresh herbs, and a hint of sweetness. Baked to perfection in heavy-duty Reynolds Wrap Foil, the tilapia emerges crispy with a smoky undertone while retaining its moisture within. Accompanied by two sumptuous sauces—a rich, creamy garlic artichoke sauce and a vibrant roasted red pepper concoction—this dish is not only nutritious but also visually stunning, making it perfect for special occasions or an indulgent family dinner.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
24
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole tilapia
4 (scaled and dressed)
lemon juice
4 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
lemons
16 (sliced into rings)
lemon rind
4 tablespoons (zested)
extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons (for brushing)
bacon fat
4 tablespoons (for coating)
artichoke hearts
4 (chopped)
fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (chopped)
white onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
fresh thyme
8 sprigs (fresh)
candace grape juice
3/4 cup
concord grape juice
1/4 cup
sea salt
2 tablespoons (to taste)
red bell peppers
2 (roasted and seeded)
white wine
1/4 cup
ground pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
garlic cloves
6 (minced)
fish sauce
2 tablespoons
paprika
2 teaspoons
brown sugar
1 tablespoon
heavy cream
1/2 cup
yard-long beans
1/2 lb (steamed)
heavy duty non-stick Reynolds Wrap Foil
4 sheets (for wrapping)
Instructions
1
Prepare three sheets of heavy-duty non-stick Reynolds Wrap Foil, ensuring they are wrinkled to enhance flavor distribution. Lightly brush each sheet with extra virgin olive oil.
2
Layer the lemon rind and fresh thyme on the prepared foils to create a fragrant base.
3
Coat each scaled and dressed tilapia generously with bacon fat, then season with sea salt, paprika, ground pepper, and fish sauce. Make shallow scores on both sides of the fish for better flavor absorption.
4
Place each tilapia on its respective foil sheet and carefully wrap them to form individual pouches. Make a few small holes in each pouch to allow steam to escape.
5
Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Place the foiled pouches directly on the oven rack and bake for 15 minutes. Carefully unwrap the pouches immediately after removal to ensure the skin remains crispy.
6
While the fish is baking, collect any cooking juices from the pouches, discarding the thyme sprigs and charred lemon rind.
7
For the first sauce, combine the heavy cream, garlic, chopped onion, artichoke hearts, sea salt, and white wine in a blender. Blend until smooth, then simmer for 10 minutes before dividing into two parts.
8
For the roasted red pepper sauce, add the roasted red bell peppers, paprika, and concord grape juice to one part of the first sauce. Blend until smooth and simmer for another 10 minutes.
9
For the lemon cheese sauce, mix lemon juice, brown sugar, candace grape juice, and monterey jack cheese. Blend until smooth and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
10
To serve, plate the tilapia on a bed of steamed yard-long beans and drizzle with the two sauces. Garnish with additional fresh thyme if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main fish used in this recipe?
The recipe features whole red tilapia, known for its firm texture and mild flavor.
What oven temperature is required for baking the tilapia?
The oven should be preheated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius).
How long should the tilapia bake in the oven?
The fish should be baked directly on the oven rack for 15 minutes.
What specific type of foil is recommended for this dish?
Heavy-duty non-stick Reynolds Wrap Foil is recommended for wrapping the fish.
Why does the recipe suggest wrinkling the foil?
Wrinkling the foil helps to enhance the distribution of flavors during the cooking process.
What is used to coat the tilapia before seasoning?
The fish is coated generously with bacon fat before adding seasonings.
Which spices are used to season the whole tilapia?
The fish is seasoned with sea salt, paprika, ground pepper, and fish sauce.
How should the tilapia be prepared before seasoning?
The tilapia should be scaled, dressed, and have shallow scores made on both sides.
What ingredients form the fragrant base inside the foil?
A layer of lemon rind and fresh thyme sprigs creates the fragrant base.
How do you prevent the fish from getting soggy in the pouch?
By making small holes in the foil pouch to allow steam to escape and unwrapping immediately after baking.
What are the ingredients for the Garlic Artichoke Sauce?
The sauce consists of heavy cream, garlic, onion, artichoke hearts, sea salt, and white wine.
How is the Roasted Red Pepper Sauce created?
It is made by blending roasted red bell peppers, paprika, and concord grape juice into a portion of the garlic artichoke sauce.
What type of cheese is used in the lemon cheese sauce?
Monterey Jack cheese is blended into the lemon cheese sauce.
What side dish is served with the tilapia?
The tilapia is served on a bed of steamed yard-long beans.
How many whole tilapia does this recipe serve?
The recipe calls for 4 whole tilapia.
Is fresh ginger included in the ingredients?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh ginger are included in the ingredient list.
What liquids are used in the lemon cheese sauce?
The sauce uses lemon juice and candace grape juice.
Should the cooking juices from the foil be kept?
Yes, the cooking juices should be collected from the pouches after baking.
How long should each sauce simmer?
Each sauce variation should be simmered for approximately 10 minutes.
What garnish is suggested for the final presentation?
The dish can be garnished with additional fresh thyme sprigs.
What is the purpose of the shallow scores on the fish?
The scores allow for better absorption of the seasonings and flavors into the meat.
What kind of oil is used to brush the foil?
Extra virgin olive oil is used to lightly brush the foil sheets.
Does the recipe use white or red onions?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of chopped white onion.
How many lemons are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 16 lemons sliced into rings, plus lemon juice and zest.
What sweet components are added to the sauces?
Brown sugar and grape juices (concord and candace) provide hints of sweetness.
Are the artichoke hearts used whole or chopped?
The artichoke hearts should be chopped before being added to the blender.
What role does the fish sauce play in this recipe?
Fish sauce is used as a seasoning to provide an earthy, savory depth to the tilapia.
Should the thyme sprigs be eaten?
No, the thyme sprigs used during the baking process should be discarded before serving.
Is the garlic used in the sauce minced or whole?
The recipe uses 6 minced garlic cloves for the sauce base.
What gives the fish its smoky undertone?
Baking the fish at a high temperature in the foil helps create a smoky flavor profile.