Tilapia is a mild white fish that doesn’t turn off less-than-enthusiastic fish dislikers. When paired with the right accompanying flavor, everybody can appreciate it in case you have a picky segment in the audience. If you do like fish, then tilapia is definitely going to be a favorite dinner item.

Ingredients

• 1 pound frozen tilapia, thawed ($3.50 when you watch for sales)
• 1/2 pound frozen gumbo mix (most stores carry a version of this under their house branding for $2)
• 1 can jalapeno diced tomatoes (again you can use another flavor; jalapeno is HOT)
• 1 tsp cooking oil
• 3/4 cup rice (can buy big bags of rice for $3)
• 1 1/2 cups water

Method

1. Prepare rice according to package directions (the unquick method takes 15-20 minutes to simmer after boiling and really tastes better)
2. Thaw fish in micro – most have a fish setting for this. Use the 1 lb. setting or use fork to make sure fish is soft. Defrost in the fridge overnight if you prefer.
3. Cook vegetables. Micro is quickest for 4 minutes on high.
4. Saute fish in olive oil (or canola if you prefer) for 3-4 minutes. Fish will flake easily. Flake it into pieces.
5. Add can of tomatoes and heat.
6. Add vegetables to fish and tomato. Heat through.
7. Add to rice.

Yield: 4 servings

This is the quick and dirty basic, but so many modifications can be made here. Coriander and garlic are divine in the cooking oil. Okra may not be your thing and can be changed to any veg combination you prefer. Maybe you got lucky and found red snapper on special. (Where might I ask?) In the end this is a ridiculously easy way to make something that you look forward to eating all day.