Tilapia

This is a great recipe to start with if you haven't served tilapia before.  Tilapia has a mild taste, and even my kids will eat it when prepared as this recipe directs.

Baked Costa Rican Tilapia with Tropical Rice

1 cup short grain brown (or white) rice

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (I used orange pineapple mango juice)

1 lime, juiced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 tilapia fillets, rinsed and patted dry

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 cups diced fresh pineapple

2 limes, thinly sliced

Directions

Combine the rice, chicken broth and a dash of salt in a pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 50 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. If using white rice, follow package directions.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, oil, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, the garlic, and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Add the tilapia fillets to the marinade, turning to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, turning occasionally.

Stir together the cooked rice, beans, pineapple, and remaining 2 tablespoons of the cilantro in a 2 or 3-quart baking dish. If there is a lot of liquid, drain some since you'll be adding the marinade. Remove the tilapia from the marinade, reserve the marinade, and lay the fish fillets over the rice mixture, overlapping if necessary. Pour the reserved marinade over the fish. Shingle the lime slices over the fish. Bake until the fish flakes easily, is opaque, and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Serve with salsa & chips if desired.