Lemon Butter Baked Tilapia with Garlic Butter Rice w/Gravy and a Salad – the Perfect Midweek Meal

OK, so it’s hump day, the infamous Wednesday, you are tired and looking forward to the weekend NOT what you are going to cook for dinner!  How about juicy flavorful baked Tilapia, flavorful rice and a healthy salad to partner?  It’s the meal that tastes good but doesn’t require lots of time or prep, LOVING it for a midweek meal!  Hope you enjoy, this is a winner in our home, hope you hit a home run too!

oh yeah!

lemon butter and cilantro love bath

my kids love a lil gravy love on their rice

up close and oh soo personal

LEMON BUTTER BAKED TILAPIA WITH GARLIC BUTTER RICE W/GRAVY AND A SALAD – THE PERFECT MIDWEEK MEAL

INGREDIENTS FOR LEMON BUTTER BAKED TILAPIA:
6-8 pieces of tilapia (filets)
¼ tsp. sea salt per piece (for tilapia pieces)
¼ tsp. ground pepper per piece
2 sticks of melted unsalted butter
4-6 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. crushed garlic
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
¼ tsp. sea salt (for lemon butter sauce)

INGREDIENTS FOR GARLIC BUTTER RICE W/GRAVY:
Rice in a bag/box (plus ingredients on bag or back of box)
2 tbsp. garlic powder per 1 cup of rice
¼ stick unsalted butter per 1 cup of rice
2-4 tsp. sea Salt per 1 cup of rice
Package of powdered gravy packet (plus ingredients listed in instructions)

INGREDIENTS FOR SALAD:
1-2 cups romaine lettuce
¼ cup shredded carrots
¼ cup purple cabbage
2-4 quartered tomatoes
Store bought dressing (or homemade – see recipes and ingredients under TIP below)

READY, SET GO:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
2. Rinse tilapia pieces, pat dry with paper towel, season with sea salt and ground black pepper
3. NOW LET’S MAKE THE LEMON BUTTER SAUCE!  In a microwavable safe container or measuring cup, add unsalted butter and heat until melted (45 – 60 seconds)
4. After butter is melted add crushed garlic, lemon juice, chopped cilantro and sea salt, whisk together until fully incorporated (be careful when whisking; the butter is hot)
5. LET’S FINISH THE TILAPIA!  Line baking dish with non-stick foil or use aluminum pan and spray pan with non-stick cooking spray then add talipia.  Pour lemon butter sauce over all tilapia pieces and bake for 15-20 minutes or until tilapia is fully cooked
6. LET’S MAKE THE GARLIC BUTTER RICE W/GRAVY!  Cook rice according to back of box/bag, when done, add garlic powder, unsalted butter and sea salt and fold together.  Cook gravy based on instructions and pour over rice.
7. TIME FOR THE SALAD!  Layer lettuce, purple cabbage, shredded carrots and quartered tomatoes.  Add store bought dressing or make your own below under TIPS.
8. ENJOY!

TIPS:  Here are two Quick Homemade Dressing Recipe Options:

LEMON HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING:
½ cup mayo (I use Hellmann’s)
¼ cup Dijon country style mustard
¼ cup honey
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
WHISK TOGETHER UNTIL FULLY INCORPORATED!!

–          OR    –

SWEET LEMON VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:
Juice of ½ a lemon
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 tsp. of country Dijon mustard
zest of ½ a lemon
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
Sea salt (to taste)
Ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
WHISK TOGETHER UNTIL FULLY INCORPORATED!!

Utokia ~
Sizzle Sizzle Baby