You can go all out with fresh Parmesan, but the shaker bottle works just as well.
The best thing about this cheesy tilapia recipe is that it’s very rich, but at the same time, very nutritious and low in calories. It was passed along to me through the mommy grapevine. I heard it originated with a nutritionist so you know it has to be good for you. And I can testify (and my husband and kids will agree) that it’s also quite tasty!
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp grated Romano cheese*
- 2 tbsp softened butter
- 1 tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp low-fat mayonnaise**
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or from the bottle, it’s okay!)
- 1/8 tsp dried basil
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp onion or garlic powder (or both! experiment!)
- 1/8 tsp celery salt
- 1 pound (4-6) tilapia fillets.
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven broiler and line a roasting or baking pan with foil.
- In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients except for the fish.
- Arrange fillets in a single layer on the pan and broil a few inches from the heat for about 2-3 minutes.
- Flip the fish and broil another 2 minutes.
- Take the fish out of the oven and cover with the cheesy mixture on the top only.
- Broil 2 more minutes or until the topping is golden and bubbly and the fish flakes with a fork.
This recipe is to die for! Seriously consider doubling it. I know my kids will eat two fillets each and my husband will keep going until I cut him off.
Can you make this recipe even better? If so you might want to enter the chef contest!
* Here’s the thing about recipes: you don’t have to follow the instructions exactly. The first time I made this recipe I used the Romano it calls for and it was great. But then the Romano eventually ran out and really, it’s not like that’s on my regular list of cheeses to buy. When I made it without the Romano (doubling up on the Parmesan to compensate) nothing happened. So guess what? Now I only use Parmesan. Because really, life’s a little too short to stock one-recipe cheeses!
** Seriously? What is up with the crazy measurements? Again, I’m providing you the real recipe, but let me just assure you that nothing bad will happen if you just guestimate 1 1/2 tablespoons. Also, if you don’t normally eat low-fat mayo, no worries. A few extra calories isn’t going to kill the recipe.
