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Spicy Baked Tilapia with Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

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tilapia w grapefruit jc 2

 

I originally had plans to grill these, as I’ve been on a HUGE grilling kick already this summer, but since I had never grilled fish before, I thought I better do my homework first. 

I had visions of my pretty fillets sticking to the grill, or even worse, flaking and falling apart into the fiery pit of death and burning to a blackened crisp. And there’s no crying in grilling, so this was simply not going to happen. 

 

tilapia w grapefruit jc

 

After reading up, I decided that since this was a flaky fish and the fillets were delicate and at least partially thin, that grilling would not be a wise decision.

I was a little disappointed, and almost tried it anyways, but my better judgment grabbed me by my ear and led me back into the house.

I will certainly try grilling fish soon, but will stick with nice thick cuts like cod, salmon or other chunky-style fish and leave the thinner fillets for the pan or oven! 😉    

 

tilapia w fruit salsa

 

So after plan “A” went quickly to plan “B”……plan “C” was about to happen. My fearless Walmart hunter had returned from the hunt with the groceries. 

And this “orange” that I had asked for was definitely in the citrus family…but was one HUMUNGOUS and odd-curious looking “orange”. Uh, oh. Yay. 

 

tilapia w fruit salsa 2

 

So after getting everything put away, I hacked into this thing to find that it was some type of Ruby Red Grapefruit! Oooooookay. I can deal with this.

And that I did. And you know what? It was AWESOME.

It was even better than anything else I could’ve chosen or even quickly subbed. I love a little challenge and it worked just fine. GREAT in fact!

So well that I’m going to be using them a LOT more in the future!

So this one, single grapefruit was easily stretched to make not one, not two – – but THREE different dishes for supper! 

 

tilapia:salsa:asparagus plated

 

The fish baked up to be mild, sweet, tender, and juicy with a nice spice, not too hot, and the Ruby Red Grapefruit juice was the perfect splash of flavor to brighten it all up!

Like a little ray of sunshine!

The salsa on top was incredibly delicious, and even the asparagus got a nice surprise as well. 😉

All in all, it was the perfect summertime meal that we enjoyed out on the deck by the lake! It’s going to be a GREAT summer! 😀 😉

 

Served with my Strawberry Mango Kiwi Salsa with Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice and Fresh Asparagus with Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice & Honey-Butter!   

 

Spicy Baked Tilapia with Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
Yield: 5

Spicy Baked Tilapia with Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

Ingredients

For Spice Mix:

  • 1 tsp. quality chili powder
  • 1 tsp. smoked sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne

Rest of Ingredients:

  • 5 nice tilapia fillets (2 1/4 lbs.)
  • 1/4 of a Ruby Red Grapefruit

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet (with edges, not flat) with foil and spray with butter-flavored no-stick spray. (I like Crisco’s.)
  • Rinse fillets in cold water and pat dry. Place fillets onto prepared baking sheet ugly side up.
  • In small bowl, mix together spice mix until well combined. Sprinkle fillets evenly with half of the spice mix. Turn fillets over to pretty side and repeat. *Do not rub in or you’ll just gum it up and rub it off.
  • Squeeze half of the quarter of the grapefruit juice over the fillets and pop into preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until done. (My oven took the full 20 minutes, but the fillets were gorgeous!) *Time depends on thickness of fillets. So, check after 15 minutes.
  • Remove from oven when fish is done and looks like it’s starting to separate, and squeeze rest of juice from the quarter of grapefruit over fillets. Let rest a few minutes on baking sheet, then serve hot with fruit salsa if desired. A nice “green rice” pilaf (cilantro rice), or side vegetable or salad, is also very good with this.

  •  

    Kecia

    Friday 13th of June 2014

    I really enjoy Tilapia and am always looking for additional ways to prepare it! This looks amazing and so flavorful!

    Kelly

    Friday 13th of June 2014

    Thanks, Kecia! :D I loved this, and I'm not much of a seafood lover! We really enjoyed it, and it even tasted like summer! :D I so hope you enjoy it, too!! :)

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