Tilapia or Fillet...what are my options?

TheRightWeigh
TheRightWeigh Posts: 249 Member
in Recipes
I've got frozen tilapia and salmon fillets in the freezer. I plan to eat one or the other for dinner....

What's the best way to thaw them out and does anybody have any suggestions of what to do with them??
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Replies

  • TheRightWeigh
    TheRightWeigh Posts: 249 Member
    And that Title was supposed to read Tilapia or SALMON!! LOL
  • BadNamePicker
    BadNamePicker Posts: 14 Member
    If they are individually wrapped, I always put them in cold water (changing the water out as necessary) - DON'T use hot water to thaw them, but cold water will do the trick! That's what I plan on doing tonight, myself and I also can't decide between tilapia or salmon :-)
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    I usually let these things either thaw in the refrigerator or, if I'm in a rush, in a bowl of cold water.

    I have to admit that I don't know what to do with tilapia other than breading it and frying it. However, for salmon, I usually bake it skin-side down in the oven with one of the following on top:

    -Panko crumbs and lemon zest
    -Soy sauce and garlic powder
    -Panko crumbs, sliced garlic, and little cubes of butter
  • MonicaRoxxs
    MonicaRoxxs Posts: 40 Member
    I normally bake Tilapia and season with lemon pepper and eat a side salad with it! Its really good and healthy.
  • galvodka
    galvodka Posts: 102
    I had tilapia last night (I thawed in cool water since was last minute idea). I just cooked in frying pan w/ pam cooking spray and sprinkled cayenne pepper/chili pepper/cumin on it and served with tablespoon of salsa. Yummy!
  • TheRightWeigh
    TheRightWeigh Posts: 249 Member
    Thanks...these are some good ideas....
  • rebasporty
    rebasporty Posts: 287 Member
    I put Tilapia in the oven frozen and sprinkle it with spinach and herb seasoning. Takes about 20 minutes and it is done. Quick and easy.
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    Awesome salmon recipe- had it last night.
    Mix 3 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar free maple syrup, 1/4 t salt, 1/8 t black pepper and spoon the mix on top. Makes enough for 4 fillets, so you could half it if you're making less. Bake at 450 deg. for around 10 mins (the fillets I used are a little thin, may need longer if they're thicker)
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    I had some yesterday! I caught a sale recently. (giggle)
    I usually bake them and add Everglades seafood seasoning, olive oil and lemon. Sometimes I just use lemon and olive oil. I'm the only person in my household who loves fish. :frown:
  • bleis71
    bleis71 Posts: 22
    Thaw in fridge for an hour or so till starts getting soft, then it will take/absorb seasoning better. I went to food.com and found some recipies. Found a good one for Cod fillet if you like that type of fish too.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Doing Salmon tonight myself. This is one of my favorites:

    http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/salmon_roasted_with_tomatoes_olives.html

    For the Tilapia, I like this:

    http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/baked_cod_with_chorizo_white_beans.html

    It calls for Cod, but Tilapia works just fine...I do either depending on what I'm feeling like...Tilapia is a bit firmer than the Cod.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Tilapia:
    -a bit of lemon and pepper
    - spread two tablespoons of Parmesan over
    - mix together thawed frozen spinach and laughing cow cheese wedge, make a bed to lay the tilapia in

    Salmon:
    -soy sauce, ginger and a sweetener (I use maple syrup now, have used Splenda) make teriyaki sauce
    -just put it under the broiler/ on the grill if you have a high quality fillet
    -dill is a good seasoning for salmon.
  • hazymary
    hazymary Posts: 190 Member
    Talapia covered with some bushetta and artichokes hearts quatered, top with some panko crumbs and bake....yummy
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    I had salmon last night with a cilantro lime pesto on top and a side of lentils. It was awesome.


    I usually brown my tilapia in a non-stick skillet with salt, pepper, smoked paprika and top with roasted baby tomatoes.
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    I have steak and chicken but cant decide, you know what I do, eat both.

    Why not eat Salmon topped tilapia with seasoned brown rice?
  • MelissaL582
    MelissaL582 Posts: 1,422 Member
    Defrost them in a cold bowl of water. I used to add a little bit of olive oil to the pan and add Mrs.Dash on top with a side of asparagus.
  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
    I prefer to thaw in the fridge. Take out in the morning, good to go at night. If you don't plan ahead, which I usually don't, then either fish defrost button in the microwave is good or, as noted already, if it's individually wrapped, thaw in cool, not cold water. Most of the ways mentioned are awesome. In addition, I also like Pan Searing. Check out wegmans.com and look up pan seared in their recipes. YUM! I usually add some extra seasonings and herbs.
  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Posts: 923 Member
    I had tillapia Monday. Sprinkled with cajun seasoning, fried in the pan coated with olive oil, four minutes on each side. yum!!
  • diinva
    diinva Posts: 57
    Dip tilapia in egg then coat with parmesan cheese. Pan fry in a small amount of oil. Delicious.
  • Mylolamia
    Mylolamia Posts: 86 Member
    Salmon: combine a tbsp. of lite mayo (I use Miracle Whip) with fresh dill, a squeeze of fresh lemon, salt and pepper. Spread over salmon fillet and bake in oven for about 10 minutes at 425F. 1 serving.

    Tilapia: combine 1/2 tbsp. honey, 1 small jalapeño, 1/4 cup any BBQ sauce - heat in microwavable bowl. Pan fry the salt and pepper seasoned tilapia until cooked through. Enough glaze for 2 servings.

    Both of these are delicious and I make them often...great go-to recipes!

    Enjoy!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I LOVE salmon, so I usually add little to it. I just dry it well, drizzle on a tiny bit of oil and maybe some garlic powder and/or black pepper and sear both sides in a really hot skillet (or on the grill).
  • sher71481
    sher71481 Posts: 39
    I love Tilapia but wasn't so sure how to make it either as i am the QUEEN of fried tilapia boy o boy do i miss how good i used to make it! I made it way to salty the other day so i'm going to try some of these ideas!! Thanks everyone!
  • liya368
    liya368 Posts: 122 Member
    Earlier this week I grilled salmon on a Foreman Grill with sweet chili sauce. I was delicious. Can't wait to make it again.
  • Linhoyt
    Linhoyt Posts: 2
    :drinker: Tilapia is so thin I bake it frozen with a little non-stick butter spray on it and some honey pecan seasoning that I found in Carbelas sports store, then sprinkle some Panko crumbs on it. Cooking for one I usually cook it in my toaster oven about 20 minutesand have with a small can or package of frozen Veggies.
  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
    Earlier this week I grilled salmon on a Foreman Grill with sweet chili sauce. I was delicious. Can't wait to make it again.

    Adding to dinner menu for this weekend! Awesome idea!
  • Joan_Jarabelo_Race
    Joan_Jarabelo_Race Posts: 2 Member
    First buy a griddle and spray it down with fat free olive oil cooking spray, turn up to 350 degrees, get a lid, as long as it fits over your fish it will work. Take and put on the griddle frozen, turn once when it looks like it is cooked & thawed completely and season it then and then do it again the same way once the other side looks thawed out. Put lid over from the start, you will be amazed how it tastes like it came from Red Lobster! I like the lemon pepper seasoning but you can use any you like. Plus on the griddle you can cook up your frozen veggies the same way next to your fish and get it all cooked at the same time :) Clean up is just your lid, spatula, and griddle .. Gotta <3 it!
  • uatina05
    uatina05 Posts: 9
    I bake tilapia (partially thawed or frozen) in the oven for about 18 mins on 350-400 (can't remember exactly). I just add some creole and adobo (mexican seasoning mix). I put it a couple in an aluminum packet with a little spray of pam so it doesn't stick. Easy as can be!
  • aproc
    aproc Posts: 1,033 Member
    I just thaw tilapia in warm water before cooking.

    over medium heat, sprinkle lemon herb seasoning on pan and place the tilapias on the pan and sprinkle more seasoning on top. cook for a min or two and flip over. I use a little lemon juice at this time.
  • krickeyuu
    krickeyuu Posts: 344 Member
    I bake, broil or grill my fish until done. I season everything with salt, pepper and garlic powder. I just made this topping for my salmon but it would work just as well with tilapia: (amounts are per person--this is for one serving) 2 tsp olive oil, 10 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved ( I like to mix red and yellow for color), 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp capers, about 4-5 kalamata olives diced, chiffonade of basil (about 3-4 leaves).

    In saucepan or saute pan heat oil. Soften garlic and add tomatoes. Cook tomatoes until soft, about 3 minutes Mash with the back of a spoon or spatula. Add capers and olives. Cook about 1 minute. Add basil and cook 30 seconds more. S&P to taste. Serve on top of fisth with a side of brown rice.
  • Today414
    Today414 Posts: 118
    Salmon: combine a tbsp. of lite mayo (I use Miracle Whip) with fresh dill, a squeeze of fresh lemon, salt and pepper. Spread over salmon fillet and bake in oven for about 10 minutes at 425F. 1 serving.

    Tilapia: combine 1/2 tbsp. honey, 1 small jalapeño, 1/4 cup any BBQ sauce - heat in microwavable bowl. Pan fry the salt and pepper seasoned tilapia until cooked through. Enough glaze for 2 servings.

    Both of these are delicious and I make them often...great go-to recipes!

    Enjoy!
    *Makes notes*

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