I have found that we are really enjoying Tilapia. Over the past few years, I’ve been introducing new types of seafood into our weekly menus and this fish is one that’s affordable and real simple to make. It can be baked, grilled or pan-fried. I’ll substitute fish on the menu for chicken or meat, depending on the grocery store deals for the week. If they are not at their best price per pound, I’ll stock up on fish.

Tilapia with a Creamy Lemon and Dill Sauce

Ingredients:

6 tilapia fillets
3 Tablespoons flour
2 Tablespoons Italian dressing
3/4 cup chicken broth
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup cream cheese
1 Tablespoon dill

Directions:

Coat the fish on both sides with flour.

Heat dressing in a medium skillet on medium heat. Add fish; cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with fork. Remove from skillet; cover with foil to keep warm.

Add broth and lemon juice to skillet; cook 3 minutes or until reduced by half, stirring frequently with whisk. Add cream cheese and dill; cook 1 minute or until melted, stirring constantly. Pour over fish. Sprinkle with extra dill.

What are some new meals on your menus?

Seafood is not something that is on my family’s menu very often. My last trip to the grocery store, I decided to introduce at least three different seafood meals. Meals that were very basic and that I could introduce easily to our kids. The first dish was a Marinated Toasted Black Pepper Tilapia, which was recommended by a fellow consumer at the grocery store. It was already perfectly marinated and our first experience tasting this type of fish was delicious. It wasn’t too salty nor bland. I just popped the fillets in the oven, and added a salad as a side dish. You could also serve this with your favorite rice dish, and you would have an exceptional seafood dinner in no time.  It will definitely be on my grocery list for future menu planning. I served the Tilapia with a Spinach and Nectarine Salad with a Honey Dijon Vinaigrette.

 

For Sunday’s menu, I wanted something simple and quick for our meal that didn’t require the use the oven. An easy sandwich sounded like a good idea for our lazy Sunday night menu. We’ve had Chicken Salad Sandwiches on our Sunday Dinners before and I wanted to try making a refreshing sandwich using the imitation crab that I picked up on my last grocery trip. Crab flavored seafood is simply Surimi. It is inexpensive and can be stored unopened in the refrigerator for up to 2 months and in the freezer for up to 6 months. If opened, it must be used within 3 days. It’s a  perfect ingredient for creating salads, sandwiches, casseroles and soup.

Crab Salad Sandwich

Ingredients

1 pound crab flavored seafood

1/4 cup mayonaise

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon fresh lemon

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 green onions, chopped

Directions:

Open package of crab flavored seafood and blot with a paper towl to remove exces water from meat. Place into a bowl and with a fork pull apart meat to make it slightly ”stringy”.

In another  bowl mix together the mayonaise and cream cheese until smooth and creamy consitency. Add lemon juice, stir. Add crab mixture and lightly stir. Add celery and onion. Mix well and refrigerate one hour before serving on your favorite sandwich roll. I served mine on a homemade roll; recipe to post soon.

What are some of your family’s favorite seafood meals?

As always, my quick and easy recipes for Busy Moms can be found on my website Noel’s Kitchen Tips.com.

Visit my new Kitchen Store  for some of my recommened  appliances, storage and kitchen needs along with some of my favorite cookbooks and aprons to help you with your family meal planning.

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