What to do with Tilapia.

MelStren
MelStren Posts: 457 Member
in Recipes
My daughter has decided NOT to eat Tilapia. She had it once a year ago, came down sick and blamed it on the fish now she won't eat it. I'd like to HIDE it in something and see if she really gets sick or if it's all in her head. I need a recipe to hide it in.....
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Replies

  • trishcass46
    trishcass46 Posts: 33 Member
    Once when I ate it, it came up almost as quick as it went down so I was leary about eating it again. How will you feel if you "hide it in something" and she does get sick again?
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    Make a Courtbouillon (coo-be-yawn)

    Make a dark roux. The roux is the key. If you dont know how to make one:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np3uGcdQNUw


    To make a roux use a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron. Use a spatula instead of a whisk. Dont throw the "trinity" (onion, celery, bell pepper) in until the very last.

    Some foolishly spend hours making a roux. I make mine fast using high heat. When the roux looks and smells right I cut the fire and throw in the trinity to stop the roux from burning. Keep stirring and let the onions caramelize a bit, and then add the stock.

    If you need more tips on making a roux pm me cuz Chef Paul doesnt do a good job of explaining.

    I dont have a particular recipe, I just throw a pinch of this and one of that so I just included two random recipes I found on the net. You can also substitute chicken bouillon for fish stock.

    http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Courtbouillon

    http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2010/03/cajun-courtbouillon.html
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Can she tell that it's actually tilapia, or could you just do some baked fish dish and get away with it? It's a pretty generic flaky white fish. Maybe make haddock, halibut, or flounder?
  • goody2shews
    goody2shews Posts: 129 Member
    Fish Tacos?

    Maybe if you try the premade for a little bit she will be willing. Sam's and Walmart sell a parmesean crusted tilapia that is very very good. Maybe another fish for awhile? Cod with just olive oil and lemon pepper or Salmon with soy sauce and honey.
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    Use a better fish the Tilapia. Yuck
  • sweetyedie
    sweetyedie Posts: 104 Member
    bump
  • LindaRoger
    LindaRoger Posts: 2
    I have a simple recipe that can be used with swai also
    You take light mayo 1 T per fillet add 1 t lemon juice and zest if you have fresh lemon mix and spread on fillet that has been dried,then take italian breads crumbs mix in Parmesan cheese 1 T each per fillet top and bake at 350 for about 15 mins sorry but you do have to watch close so fish doesn't over cook :happy: Hope she likes it
  • Guamybear
    Guamybear Posts: 1,061 Member
    I love tilapia.. I agree, tell her it is something else.. if you season it different she might not know.
  • Gidzmo
    Gidzmo Posts: 906 Member
    My daughter has decided NOT to eat Tilapia. She had it once a year ago, came down sick and blamed it on the fish now she won't eat it. I'd like to HIDE it in something and see if she really gets sick or if it's all in her head. I need a recipe to hide it in.....

    Is there other fish she WILL eat? Have some sort of fish chowder and mix the tilapia in. Or same thing with fish tacos.
  • BellaFe
    BellaFe Posts: 323
    I make a killer sauce with coconut milk, lime and curry. I then broil the Tilapia in the oven with salt, pepper and olive oil.
    When the tilapia is cooked I spoon the sauce on it and serve with either spinach or asparagus. Yum. Even my kids love it.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    My daughter has decided NOT to eat Tilapia. She had it once a year ago, came down sick and blamed it on the fish now she won't eat it. I'd like to HIDE it in something and see if she really gets sick or if it's all in her head. I need a recipe to hide it in.....
    What a horrible thing to do to someone. My parents 'hid vegetables' in my food when I was 7. I never ate another home-cooked meal. I can't tell you how violated I felt, but it stuck with me for decades, I couldn't eat food without first picking it into small enough pieces to know there wasn't something awful hidden in it.

    You can't possibly be doing this for her benefit, she's not going to miss out on all the good things in life because she doesn't eat tilapia, nor is she going to be ostracized for it.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I agree with Serp. Eventually, when she gets older she may decide to give it another try. But, allow her to do it on her own time. Don't trick her or force her. And what if it really doesn't set with her right? And she gets sick again. I would feel horrible if I did that to my daughter and she got sick.
  • TillyMomma
    TillyMomma Posts: 262
    My three year old is super picky. I'm talking about he won't even touch mac-n-cheese picky. Mac-n-cheese used to be one of his favorite foods. When he would eat it, I used to bake the tilapia in the oven with a little bit of garlic, a tiny bit of salt and pepper on it. Once the fish had cooled, I would shred it with a fork (which isn't hard to do) and incorporate it into the mac-n-cheese. He loved it! Keep in mind that my son is super picky, but a year ago he would eat whatever I put in front of him.
  • TillyMomma
    TillyMomma Posts: 262
    Fish Tacos?

    Maybe if you try the premade for a little bit she will be willing. Sam's and Walmart sell a parmesean crusted tilapia that is very very good. Maybe another fish for awhile? Cod with just olive oil and lemon pepper or Salmon with soy sauce and honey.

    Also, cod is delicious. It's just a matter of her taste buds. My husband is 28 and still swears up and down that broccoli makes him sick, but he doesn't know that I use mashed cauliflower in our mashed potatoes. Shhh, don't tell him!
  • TillyMomma
    TillyMomma Posts: 262
    My daughter has decided NOT to eat Tilapia. She had it once a year ago, came down sick and blamed it on the fish now she won't eat it. I'd like to HIDE it in something and see if she really gets sick or if it's all in her head. I need a recipe to hide it in.....
    What a horrible thing to do to someone. My parents 'hid vegetables' in my food when I was 7. I never ate another home-cooked meal. I can't tell you how violated I felt, but it stuck with me for decades, I couldn't eat food without first picking it into small enough pieces to know there wasn't something awful hidden in it.

    You can't possibly be doing this for her benefit, she's not going to miss out on all the good things in life because she doesn't eat tilapia, nor is she going to be ostracized for it.

    Seriously, if I didn't hide healthy foods in my son's foods, he wouldn't eat it (and I'm talking about I have to be super spy sneaky). He takes multivitamins every day in gummy form (which is the one thing he is excited about eating), but other than that if I didn't hide healthy stuff in his food he wouldn't get any nutrition. My son is very tall and skinny for his age, which doesn't surprise me given his father's lineage, but still...just because your parent's hide something in your food shouldn't mean you'll be traumatized. My mother used to try and pass off liver and onions as steak--she was never successful with me because of the smell, but still. Parents have good intentions.
  • BigDnSW
    BigDnSW Posts: 641 Member
    We have eaten Tilapia for years..before it was popular. It is a great source of the right fats, pretty much takes on the flavor and tastes of whatever you season it with, is low in sodium, etc. A very healthy fresh water whitefish.

    Tilapia tacos are great...if you bake them. We sear the tilapia in EVOO in a pan and then put in a corn tortilla with raw veggies of our choice, then bake in the oven at 400 till the tortillas brown up to tacos. That's just one way. We also eat salmon, mahi mahi, tuna steak, and spam...NOT! Hah! I also make our own low sodium shrimp cocktail sauce for seasoning...healthy horseradish and healthy homemade cole slaw as well to add to the tacos.

    But, I have lived on the coast(s) for years...love it as does my landlubber wife!

    Good luck to you...it's a great food :drinker:
  • DMZ_1
    DMZ_1 Posts: 2,889 Member
    First off, I don't like the idea of hiding foods. Then again, I'm not a parent, so I'm not usually one to discussing parenting methods.

    With that said, tilapia is not a high quality fish. It usually can't stand on its own merit. However, it can provide a good meal. The key to tilapia is the way in which it is seasoned. I like to season tilapia in some cajun seasonings or basic lemon pepper.
  • BigDnSW
    BigDnSW Posts: 641 Member
    First off, I don't like the idea of hiding foods. Then again, I'm not a parent, so I'm not usually one to discussing parenting methods.

    With that said, tilapia is not a high quality fish. It usually can't stand on its own merit. However, it can provide a good meal. The key to tilapia is the way in which it is seasoned. I like to season tilapia in some cajun seasonings or basic lemon pepper.

    I respect your quote. However, tilapia is low in sodium, fats, and cholesterol. For those of us in our 50's...a major concern. Not a high quality fish? Maybe, but depends on how you cook it and serve it and what you serve with it just like anything else. To quote several sites..."It is the chicken of the fish market". However, I only buy organic chicken. It's a great fish within the fish market. If you want more taste, sodium, and cholestorol...eat Swai.

    Thanks!

    edit: "Tilapia has become the third most important fish in aquaculture after carp and salmon"...uh, I'll eat one of those! Hah! Carp tacos??? Heh :noway:
  • Lady_Lamb
    Lady_Lamb Posts: 103 Member
    I like to smother mine in Newman's black bean and corn salsa. Yum!
  • BigDnSW
    BigDnSW Posts: 641 Member
    I like to smother mine in Newman's black bean and corn salsa. Yum!

    Oh my...love it! But I make my own...great call :wink:
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    My daughter has decided NOT to eat Tilapia. She had it once a year ago, came down sick and blamed it on the fish now she won't eat it. I'd like to HIDE it in something and see if she really gets sick or if it's all in her head. I need a recipe to hide it in.....
    What a horrible thing to do to someone. My parents 'hid vegetables' in my food when I was 7. I never ate another home-cooked meal. I can't tell you how violated I felt, but it stuck with me for decades, I couldn't eat food without first picking it into small enough pieces to know there wasn't something awful hidden in it.

    You can't possibly be doing this for her benefit, she's not going to miss out on all the good things in life because she doesn't eat tilapia, nor is she going to be ostracized for it.

    Horrible? Violated? Friend you have issues but I dont think it is rooted in your food being "camouflaged".

    There is nothing wrong with trying to prepare food in a manner that a child will find acceptable - and you have to admit, it's a heck of a lot better then just tossing fast food on the table. It is a responsible parent who tries to provide the very best nutrition for their child.

    One may not like plain ole steamed rice, but will go wild over it in a jambalaya...so just where is the violation?
  • DebraYvonne
    DebraYvonne Posts: 632 Member
    I tend to not trick my kids with food or they look at things suspect. My daughter was a vegetarian for 5 years and I just wouldn't have done that to her. She still doesn't eat fish -- it makes her gag. Why does she have to eat tilapia?
  • jsnearly
    jsnearly Posts: 61
    Tilapia is pretty gross fish. Your daughter has good taste buds. Salmon and steelhead trout are reasonably priced and taste way better.
  • BamsieEkhaya
    BamsieEkhaya Posts: 657 Member
    My daughter has decided NOT to eat Tilapia. She had it once a year ago, came down sick and blamed it on the fish now she won't eat it. I'd like to HIDE it in something and see if she really gets sick or if it's all in her head. I need a recipe to hide it in.....
    What a horrible thing to do to someone. My parents 'hid vegetables' in my food when I was 7. I never ate another home-cooked meal. I can't tell you how violated I felt, but it stuck with me for decades, I couldn't eat food without first picking it into small enough pieces to know there wasn't something awful hidden in it.

    You can't possibly be doing this for her benefit, she's not going to miss out on all the good things in life because she doesn't eat tilapia, nor is she going to be ostracized for it.


    hmmm well maybe do it the once and see if she actually LIKES the fish and it was just a bad experience that put her off, me and mushrooms are a no-no, always have been to the point when I was little I'd flick them out the window when my parents turned their backs, turns out I actually like them in certain rice dishes, had it not been for my parents hiding them I'd still be running from any meals containing mushrooms.
    It's neither horrible nor a violation of anything, if the child doesn't like the fish after then at least you tried... violated is a TAD bit extreme
  • maryjay52
    maryjay52 Posts: 557 Member
    tilapia has no flavor to it but its good for you and its not expensive .i used to eat it but decided to spring for the stuff i like instead which is boneless skinless haddock
  • rjt1000
    rjt1000 Posts: 700 Member


    edit: "Tilapia has become the third most important fish in aquaculture after carp and salmon"...uh, I'll eat one of those! Hah! Carp tacos??? Heh :noway:
    Carp? Ugghh, not even with somebody else's taste buds. Only thing good about carp is that they grow big and grow big quickly. They taste terrible and are bottom feeders so if they are wild caught, they're just disgusting. Isn't the super salmon genetically crossed with some type of carp?
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    have you considered a marinade? I like to use a small amount of maple syrup, dijon mustard and red wine vinegar. You don't have to marinade long - 10 min should do it for a thawed piece of fish.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Dont hide food thats just mean. I dont see it as a big deal, so she cant stomach tilapia I can stomach salmon no matter how its prepared. There are plenty of other fish out there to try.

    And to those saying Tilapia is crap fish (LOL not sure what defines a crap fish). Lets not forget some of our good fish like tuna and salmon can be loaded with mercury. Anyways, tilapia is a very sustainable fish. You can even have a fish farm in your backyard. It's a light tasting fish, and easy to get kids and adults who dont like fish to eat.

    So dont hide food or bag on tilapia. Although maybe tilapia wouldnt mind being known as a crap fish then it wouldnt be eaten.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    Horrible? Violated? Friend you have issues but I dont think it is rooted in your food being "camouflaged".

    There is nothing wrong with trying to prepare food in a manner that a child will find acceptable - and you have to admit, it's a heck of a lot better then just tossing fast food on the table. It is a responsible parent who tries to provide the very best nutrition for their child.

    One may not like plain ole steamed rice, but will go wild over it in a jambalaya...so just where is the violation?
    The violation is in being purposely fed something that may make her sick, not for her own benefit but for the benefit of her mother. How would you feel if someone fed you 90% of a lethal dose of cyanide just to see if it's really not lethal? Again, she isn't going to suffer from malnutrition or anything else if she never eats tilapia again in her life. It also shows a total lack of respect and total lack of faith in the kid to ever be able to make decisions for herself, and lack of concern for her well being.

    If she likes girls, also be sure to hook her up with a transvestite so you can "cure" her.
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    Horrible? Violated? Friend you have issues but I dont think it is rooted in your food being "camouflaged".

    There is nothing wrong with trying to prepare food in a manner that a child will find acceptable - and you have to admit, it's a heck of a lot better then just tossing fast food on the table. It is a responsible parent who tries to provide the very best nutrition for their child.

    One may not like plain ole steamed rice, but will go wild over it in a jambalaya...so just where is the violation?
    The violation is in being purposely fed something that may make her sick, not for her own benefit but for the benefit of her mother. How would you feel if someone fed you 90% of a lethal dose of cyanide just to see if it's really not lethal? Again, she isn't going to suffer from malnutrition or anything else if she never eats tilapia again in her life. It also shows a total lack of respect and total lack of faith in the kid to ever be able to make decisions for herself, and lack of concern for her well being.

    If she likes girls, also be sure to hook her up with a transvestite so you can "cure" her.

    LMAO

    I think someone has only one oar in the water....

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