Pan-Seared Tilapia With Chile Lime Butter

GaylaJ's Note:

Nice, fresh-tasting dish that comes together in a snap. Make it even quicker by preparing the chile lime butter ahead of time. It can be made 1 day ahead, covered and chilled. Just make sure to bring to room temperature before using. I like this served atop jasmine rice. -adapted from Gourmet

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

For chile lime butter

• ¼ cup unsalted butter , softened
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lime zest
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh serrano chili , including seeds
• ½ teaspoon salt

For fish

• 6 (5 ounce) skinless tilapia fillets
• ½ teaspoon salt , to taste (I prefer kosher)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Make chile lime butter:.
2. Stir together butter, shallot, zest, lime juice, chile and salt in a bowl.
3. Prepare fish:.
4. Pat fish dry and sprinkle with salt.
5. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until just smoking.
6. Saute 3 pieces of fish, using a spatula to turn once, until golden and just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.
7. Transfer to a plate and saute remaining fish in same manner.
8. Serve each piece of fish with a dollop of chile lime butter.

Reviews

[lasewell]

This recipe gave me all sorts of ideas. Due to grocery store and time restraints, I had to substitute garlic for shallots in the butter but it still turned out delicious. I also added a littl eminced garlic to the pan when searing. I took one reviewers suggestion and rubbed the fish with cumin, paprika and chili powder. Paired with a pinot grigio, it was absolutely amazing. Next time I want to add an avacado and tomato salad on top.

[Andrea G.]

I made this tonight and it was pretty good. I added extra lemon juice, plus a dash of cumin and cayenne to give it a little bit more flavor. Comes together very quick. My fish didn't really sear, I think next time I need to really dry it off.

[gourmetronik]

A simple option with a complex taste. The butter's flavour is really nice, especially if you cheat and add cilantro to it. Lovely quick and simple.