Lemon Herb Seared Tilapia with Creamy Citrus Sauce
Delight in this exquisite Lemon Herb Seared Tilapia with Creamy Citrus Sauce, a culinary masterpiece that marries the subtle flavors of fresh tilapia with a luscious lemon cream sauce. This dish features perfectly pan-seared fish served atop a bed of savory lemon herb rice, made with fluffy white rice, vibrant scallions, aromatic thyme, a hint of lemon juice, and a pat of butter for a decadent touch. Not only is this meal quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights, but it also elevates any dinner gathering to a special occasion. Pair this with sautéed broccoli, crisp green beans, or tender asparagus for a refreshing and colorful side. Ideal for those looking to impress guests or enjoy a weeknight dinner with a touch of flair, this recipe is versatile enough to accommodate any white fish, enriching your table with vibrant flavors and delightful textures.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tilapia fillets
4 (fresh, thawed if frozen)
Lemon
1 (cut into 8 slices)
Dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Flour
8 teaspoons (for dusting fish)
Butter
2 tablespoons (for cooking fish)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Heavy cream
1 1/4 cups (for sauce)
Lemon zest
1 teaspoon (freshly grated)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons (more or less to taste)
Shallot
1 large (finely chopped)
Fresh thyme
1 teaspoon (finely chopped)
Fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Flour
1/2 teaspoon (for sauce)
Cooked white rice
3-4 cups (any method preferred)
Scallions
3 (finely chopped (white and green parts))
Lemon
1/2 (freshly squeezed)
Butter
1 teaspoon (for rice)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start with the Rice: If you plan to include the lemon herb rice, begin by cooking your favorite white rice using your preferred method. Once done, stir in 1 teaspoon of butter, the freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped scallions, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well with a fork, cover, and set aside on a low heat to keep warm.
2
Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon of flour, dried thyme, and lemon zest. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a gentle simmer. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken. Once thickened, remove from heat and finish by stirring in the fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
3
Prepare the Fish: Take the tilapia fillets out of the refrigerator to bring them to room temperature. Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Lightly dust each side of the fillets with flour using a small strainer or your hands for an even coating.
4
Cook the Fish: In a large sauté pan, heat a mixture of butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the tilapia fillets and arrange the lemon slices around them. Sauté the fillets for about 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown, then gently flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Be careful not to overcook; the fish should flake easily with a fork.
5
Serve: Fluff the warm lemon herb rice and portion it onto four plates. Carefully place a seared tilapia fillet on top of the rice alongside two lemon slices. Generously drizzle the luscious lemon cream sauce over the fish. Serve immediately, and enjoy this delectable dish!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Lemon Herb Seared Tilapia with Creamy Citrus Sauce.
How many tilapia fillets are required?
The recipe requires 4 tilapia fillets.
Can I use a different type of fish?
Yes, the recipe is versatile enough to accommodate any white fish.
What ingredients are used to flavor the lemon herb rice?
The rice is flavored with butter, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped scallions, salt, and pepper.
How do I prepare the tilapia before cooking?
Bring the fillets to room temperature, pat them dry with a paper towel, season with salt and pepper, and lightly dust with flour.
What are the components of the creamy citrus sauce?
The sauce includes heavy cream, flour, dried thyme, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley.
How long should the creamy citrus sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken.
When should the lemon juice be added to the sauce?
Add the lemon juice to the sauce after it has thickened and been removed from the heat.
What fat is used to sear the tilapia?
A mixture of butter and olive oil is used to sear the fish.
How long does it take to cook the tilapia fillets?
Cook the fillets for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
How do I know when the tilapia is properly cooked?
The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
What is added to the sauté pan along with the fish?
Lemon slices are arranged around the fish fillets in the pan while cooking.
What side dishes pair well with this recipe?
It pairs well with sautéed broccoli, crisp green beans, or tender asparagus.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is described as quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy nights.
What type of rice is used for the lemon herb rice?
You can use your favorite white rice cooked by any preferred method.
How much heavy cream is needed for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of heavy cream.
What part of the scallions should be used?
Both the white and green parts of the scallions should be finely chopped.
How much flour is used for the sauce thickening?
Only 1/2 teaspoon of flour is used in the sauce.
Should I use fresh or dried thyme?
The recipe uses dried thyme for the sauce and fresh thyme is also listed as an ingredient.
How many lemon slices are prepared?
One lemon is cut into 8 slices.
What should be done to keep the rice warm?
Cover the rice and set it aside on low heat.
How much lemon zest is needed?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of freshly grated lemon zest.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to start cooking the rice.
Is the fish seasoned on both sides?
Yes, the fillets should be seasoned generously on both sides.
How much flour is used for dusting the fish?
The recipe suggests 8 teaspoons of flour for dusting.
What is the purpose of dusting the fish with flour?
It helps create an even coating for searing the fish.
What type of parsley is used?
One tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley is used.
How is the dish served?
Place the fish on a bed of rice with lemon slices and drizzle the cream sauce over the top.
Can I use frozen tilapia?
Yes, but the fish should be thawed if frozen before preparation.
Is this recipe appropriate for guests?
Yes, it is described as a culinary masterpiece that can elevate dinner gatherings to a special occasion.