Tilapia Po’Boy recipe

So, my wife buys these breaded tilapia filets from Sam’s Club. Usually, she bakes them in the oven until they’re crispy on the outside, and I enjoy them with thorough doses of vinegar (I’m not really a seafood person).

Well, she had somewhere to go this evening, and graciously cooked up some of these tilapia filets for me to eat while she’s out. This time around, however, the ol’ take-it-with-vinegar routine just didn’t seem appetizing. So, in the fine Monti tradition of improvisational gastronomy, I experimented with what we had on hand in the kitchen.

The result was (IMHO) delicious, and a welcome change of pace. If you’re trying to get more fish in your diet and in a rut, try this for a quick and tasty meal.

Tilapia Po’Boy

Ingredients

• 1 breaded tilapia filet, baked until exterior is golden brown and crispy
• 3 slices of onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 long hot chili pepper, coarsely chopped
• 1 roma tomato, chopped
• 1-2 t. soy sauce
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1/2 t. Tabasco sauce
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 small pat of butter
• Shredded Monterrey Jack or sharp white cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• Crushed red pepper
• 1 Small Italian sandwich or hoagie roll, or (better yet) some ciabatta bread or about 4″-6″ of a Louisiana baguette (whatever you use, be sure to toast it)

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a non-stick skillet.
2. Over medium heat, add the onion and long hot chili pepper. Stir to make sure the oil/butter covers everything.
3. Sautee until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Add soy sauce, Tabasco, and lemon juice. Add salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste. Stir.
5. When this mixture has sauteed for just a moment more, fold in the tomato. Stir thoroughly. Continue to sautee until the tomato wilts a bit, then remove from heat.
6. Take your toasted roll/bread, and spread a little mayonnaise on the inside. Place the baked tilapia filet on the bread, and spoon the sauteed vegetable mixture on top. Sprinkle just enough shredded cheese to give it a bit of a tang, and enjoy.

YUM! I never enjoyed a fish sandwich this much. Some suggested variations:

• Put a little Cajun seasoning (like Tony Chachere’s or Slap Ya’ Mama!) in the mayo, or substitute it for the salt and pepper in the sauteed veggie mix.
• Flatbread or a tortilla could make this a tasty wrap.
• If you want a healthier cheese option, feta might be a good choice.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Blessings,

Rob
aka The MonT-SteR