Sarasota's Sauteed Cucumbers With Pan Seared Tilapia
- Ready In:
- 55mins
- Ingredients:
- 17
- Yields:
-
4 Individual Serving
- Serves:
- 4
ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets (or you can use your favorite white fish)
- 1⁄2 cup flour (I prefer rice flour, but any flour will work)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste)
- 1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
- 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 -2 tablespoon butter
- 1 lemon, cut in half (1/2 of the lemon to squeeze on the fillets and the other half slice for a garnish)
-
Cucumbers
- 1 English cucumber, peeled, cut lengthwise and cut in 1/4-inch half moons (seedless, if you can find a seedless cucumber, just make sure to remove the seeds)
- 1 large shallot, thin sliced
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon butter
- salt
- pepper
directions
- Cucumbers -- Peel and cut cucumbers. Remember, seedless cucumbers, although they call them seedless, have some seeds, I do a light scoop to remove any seeds, but it is NOT necessary. If you can't find a seedless cucumbers, You will need 2 large cucumbers, as they have a lot more seeds that you would need to take out. Just use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Once the seeds are removed, cut into 1/4" half moons. I just lay them out on a paper towel to dry out. I don't worry about salting them.
- Fish -- Prepare the fish first by removing them from the refrigerator to take the chill off. In a small pie plate or dish, mix the flour, cayenne, paprika, salt and pepper and lightly dredge the fish. Set on a plate off to the side while you start your cucumbers. Both the cucumbers and the fish take just a few minutes, so make sure to have everything ready.
- Cucumber Saute -- In a medium saute pan, I prefer a non stick pan for this, medium high heat, melt the butter and and add in the shallots. Saute for 1 minute, Then add in the wine and cook another minute. Add in the cucumbers, capers and cook 2 minutes. Then reduce to medium low heat and add the sour cream, and season with salt, pepper and dill. Stir to combine to warm up the sour cream and transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
- Fish -- Now in the same pan, just wipe it out and add 1-2 tablespoons butter and bring to medium high to high heat. Add the fish and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. They cook very quickly. The second side will usually cook much quicker. Now remember, cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the fish.
- Serve -- Remember the half of lemon we didn't slice; squeeze a little lemon over each fillet and top with the warm cucumbers and garnish with a lemon slice. ENJOY!
Questions & Replies
Got a question?
Share it with the community!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
SarasotaCook
Sarasota, Florida
<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>