This is a simple dish that looks quite elegant, so it's ideal for those holiday, birthday, and special occasion dinners when you want to spend more time with your guests than with your stove. The trick is to have everything pre-measured and ready to go before you begin, as this comes together quickly.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must. The shallots, while not strictly traditional, add a bit of sweetness to the lemony sauce. You can add chopped fresh parsley to the sauce at the end, or just garnish with a few small leaves.
You can serve other white fish, such as flounder, sole, or whiting, with this delicious sauce.
(View the Full Size Photo of Tilapia with Lemon Caper Sauce)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 large (6-7 oz) tilapia fillets (or 8 small fillets)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsps olive oil
- 2 Tbsps butter, divided
- 3/4 cup white wine
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped shallots (optional)
- 2 Tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp (or more) small capers
- Parsley leaves or chopped parsley
Preparation:
Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter over Medium heat until the butter sizzles. Lightly dredge the fillets in the flour, shake off the excess, and lay them in the pan.
Pan fry the fillets until lightly browned on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). Remove the fish from the pan and keep warm.
Raise the heat to Medium High and add the wine to the pan, stirring up any browned bits of flour. Add the shallots and cook for 1-2 minutes until shallots are softened.
Stir in the lemon juice and capers and cook 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter. Spoon the sauce over the fish and sprinkle with parsley.
Makes 4 servings of Easy Tilapia Piccata