Tilapia Affetto

Serving: 4
This fish recipe is very close to one that is native to the mediterranean people. I learned it from a friend of mine. It's healthy, it's sexy, it's snazzy, and for sure it is so yummy.

Dairy Free, Gluten Free

Ingredients:
4 Tilapia fillets (I get the individually frozen ones from costco, there is 8 in one package)
2 large onions chopped
1 small cilantro bunch chopped
2 cups basmati rice (or any long grain rice)
1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
1 lemon juiced
1 cup olive oil
spray on grape seed oil
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional if you like it spicy)
3/4 tbsp salt
3/4 tbsp black pepper

Directions:
1. Spray an oven tray with the grape seed oil and place the chopped onions then spray again to cover them all. Bake on 400 for 15 min on until brown, broil for another 5 min or until brown. Set aside
2. In another deep oven tray place the tilapia, the lemon zest, the lemon juice, the 3/4 cup olive oil, half the browned onions, the cilantro, and half the spices. Mix well and keep in the fridge for at least 2 hours
3. Cover the fish tray and bake on 350 for 45 min
4. Uncover and broil for 5 min
5. In a blender or a food processor blend the half browned onions left
6. In a small pan place the remainder of the olive oil, the rice, the blended onions, and the rest of the spices and sauté for 5 minutes
7. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil and pour over the rice mixture and cover
8. Cook on high heat for 5 minutes or until the water evaporates (you will see small holes on top of the rice mixture)
9. Turn off the heat and cover firmly with a damp towel for another 10 minutes
10. Stir with a fork and serve with the tilapia adding some of the sauce that you came up with cooking the fish.

Benefits of Tilapia:
1. high quality complete protein meal
2. rich in amino acids
3. rich in omega-3s
4. prevents heart disease
5. controls body weight
Tilapia is also vegetarian fed which makes it a safe fish to consume.