Spicy Tilapia Recipe from Blue Apron

Have you heard of Blue Apron? I just started using this wonderful service that sends you produce and ingredients to make 3 meals each week along with the recipes. You don’t have to shop for anything! It’s delivered right to your door. I decided to give it a try because A) I don’t like to shop for groceries and B) I don’t really enjoy menu planning. I do love to cook and I always enjoy trying new things. So when I found out about Blue Apron via Facebook, it seemed like the perfect fit for me. I received my first shipment last Friday and the first meal I made was this super yummy Tilapia recipe … Tilapia Veracruzana. (I was not compensated by Blue Apron to write this.)

Tilapia Veracruzana RecipeI love fish … and although I call myself a vegetarian, I do eat fish on occasion so technically I’m a pescetarian. Next to Salmon, Tilapia is my favorite fish and I was anxious to make this spicy version of it from Blue Apron.

 

Ingredients for Tilapia VeracruzanaOne thing I like about having Blue Apron select my meals for me, based on my preferences, is that I’ll be forced to use ingredients I don’t normally buy myself … like these Castelvetrano Olives! Never heard of them before.

 

Castelvetrano Green OlivesI had to smash them with the handle of my knife and remove the pits. I have never cooked with olives. Can you believe it? It’s true! My hubby loves them … I’m not a huge fan but was willing to try them out in this tilapia recipe.

 

Fresh organic garlicThis fresh beautiful garlic bulb was also in the box. I love garlic even though it’s smelly.

We grow it in our garden.

 

Tilapia Veracruzana RecipeThe olives and garlic are mixed with tomatoes, jalapeno pepper and tomatoes to make a spicy flavorful sauce for the fish.

You serve it all atop of mound of basmati rice.

 

Tilapia Recipe from Blue ApronI don’t drink white wine but have found you can serve red wine with fish. Simply choose a lighter red wine like a Rose or a lighter version of Pinot Noir, which is what I paired with this tilapia recipe.

After my first experience with Blue Apron, I have to say I’m very pleased. I’ll share more recipes from them in the future. Part of the fun is waiting to see what they’re gonna send each week … and you can list your dietary preferences too! Here’s the recipe …

 

Tilapia Veracruzana Recipe

12 Castelvetrano Olives
3 Cloves Garlic
1 Bunch Fresh Oregano Leaves
1 Jalapeño Pepper
1 Lime
1 Yellow Onion
1 Teaspoon Turmeric
3/4 Cup Basmati Rice
1 15-Ounce Can Diced Tomatoes
1 Fresh Bay Leaf
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tilapia Fillets

Grate the green portion of the lime rind to create 2 teaspoons lime zest. Quarter the lime and set aside.

To Make Rice:
In small pot, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil on medium high. Add half of the onion and half of the garlic, and cook 3 to 4 minutes stirring frequently. Add the turmeric and cook 1 minute longer, combining well. Add the basmati rice, a generous pinch of salt, and 1 1/2 cups water. Increase heat and bring to boil. Once rice is boiling, reduce heat to low and cook 14-16 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and stir in juice of 2 lime wedges. Salt and pepper to taste.

To Make Tomato Sauce:
While rice is cooking, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil on medium until hot. Add jalapeno and the remaining onion and garlic. Cook 3-4 minutes stirring frequently. Add tomatoes, lime zest, cinnamon, bay leaf, and 1 cup water. Season with salt and pepper, mix thoroughly and cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

To Cook Fish:
While sauce is cooking, season tilapia fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large, nonstick pan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the tilapia and cook 4-6 minutes on each side, or until slightly browned and cook through. Reduce heat to medium and add tomato sauce and all but a pinch of both the olives and oregano to the pan. Frequently spoon sauce over fish and cook 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and discard the bay leaf. Place a mound of rice on each plate and top with the fish and tomato sauce. Use remaining olives, oregano and lime to garnish.

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2 Comments

  1. I don’t like to meal plan or shop for groceries either so I am happy to hear about this service and look forward to seeing what other kinds of recipes/food they send you.

  2. This is pretty cool. I don’t try many new recipes if they call for “weird” (to me) ingredients. Feeding a family of 6, things are tight and I don’t like to take chances with my grocery money. I look forward to seeing what you think is worth buying as far as spices and such. I have never heard of this kind of service. I dream of NOT having to go to Walmart and Aldi’s every week. And then I hear the kids yell, Mom, we have nothing to eat, and when you are you going to the store … and I snap back to reality.