Blackened Tilapia

Recipe from Everyday Food Issue # 23 & Tested in Alice's Kitchen
Serves 4

This is a very quick and easy dish to make. You can also prepare catfish fillets with this coating. (I haven't tried it with other types of fish, but I think it would be great with any mild tasting fish.) If you haven't tried tilapia, check out the freezer section at the Lost River Market & Deli. I usually double the coating recipe (not the salt) and keep the extra coating batch in a plastic tub for another time. When I was working, I'd use the leftover fillets for a great sandwich in my lunchbox.

INGREDIENTS
Non-stick cooking spray
2 Tablespoons yellow cornmeal
2 Tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 catfish or tilapia fillets (about 1 ½ pounds)
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

· Heat broiler; coat the rack of a broiler pan or a baking sheet with the cooking spray.
· In a shallow dish, stir together cornmeal, paprika, thyme, cayenne, salt and pepper.
· Rinse and pat dry the fish fillets with paper towels.
· Dredge fillets in cornmeal mixture, turning to coat. Shake off excess, and place on prepared pan.
· Broil until opaque throughout and blackened on the outside, 10-12 minutes.
· Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
Per serving: 257 calories; 13.5 grams fat; 27.4 grams protein; 5.6 grams carbohydrates; 1.8 grams fiber