Citrus Crusted Tilapia with Blood Orange Salsa.
But not really.
It hurts, I know.
Citrus is just so so so good.
I find oranges, lemons, limes and the like to be one of the most powerful game changers: they flavor dishes so deeply and so differently that it knocks your socks off. Sort of like caramelized onions. Or smoked sea salt. Or… brown butter? Without all the calories. Wait. What are calories?
Oooooh and they also are a main ingredient in margaritas. Citrus, not calories. Silly. I can ride that gravy train.
It’s my opinion that so many people fail at eating healthy meals because they don’t know any better and eat them PLAIN. Ugh. Just that word makes me cringe and shrivel into a miserable little ball. Like nails on a chalkboard.
Take my husband for example. When I first met him, he ate plain ground turkey. Plain egg whites. Plain chicken. Plain everything. The man didn’t live, I tell you.
Granted once we started dating he had a constant supply of cheese in his fridge and gained like 20 pounds, but whatever. He needed it.
Seriously, now stop whatever it is that you’re doing. I mean, I’m sure it’s not important, like going to work or exercising or whatever. Psssh. You don’t need that. But you DO need to go buy some tilapia and make this for lunch. Okay, okay… dinner works too. If you are out of breadcrumbs, you can keep it crumbless a la honey lime tilapia and add the salsa on top. But whatever you do… promise me you are making the salsa. Today, today I say!
Citrus Crusted Tilapia
serves 2-4
4 fresh (or thawed) tilapia filets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
the zest of 2 blood oranges, 1 lime and 1 lemon
pinch of salt
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, place a wire rack on top, and spray the wire rack with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, add bread crumbs, flour, citrus zest and pinch of salt. In another bowl, lightly beat egg whites.
Season each piece of tilapia with salt and pepper. Dip each piece of tilapia in beaten egg whites, then coat with citrus breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. Place on the wire rack and spray lightly with nonstick spray.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until breadcrumbs are golden.
Blood Orange Salsa
[adapted from perry’s plate!]
2 blood oranges, segmented and chopped
1 clementine, segmented and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
1/2 jalapeno, chopped
2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
pinch of salt
Combine all ingredients together and mix. Let sit for 30 minutes so the flavors marry. Yum!
Oh and make a margarita too.
118 Comments on “Citrus Crusted Tilapia with Blood Orange Salsa.”
Healthy but so gourmet!! Mmmm…
Jessica, this is just beautiful. I’ve been looking high and low for some blood oranges and I live in CA, so usually we have them by now. I want to try this when I find the oranges. Just say “No” to plain food, lol.
-Gina-
Your tilapia obsession is totally fueling my own! I am making this tonight!
Good grief, you’ve done it again.If I can find blood oranges, this is on the “to make” list for next week. I just LOVE colorful plates!
Such colorful food lately! :) LOVE it!
Sounds like my man…his dinners usually consisted of a can of tuna and a protein shake:P Not anymore!
Thinking of putting this blood orange salsa on those scones from the other day. No such thing as citrus overload!
Dear Jessica,
Please come and cook for me forever. I can pay you in useless trivia and databases.
Sincerely,
Lindsay
Definitely going to make something like this for dinner tomorrow! While I don’t have all these ingredients, I already have blood oranges and tilapia at home. So, I’ll be making some variation of this!
Damn, does this look incredible. Need to make soon!
I can’t get enough of the citrus this year, so keep the recipes coming!
That last photo looks scrumptabulous (scrumptious & fantastic? whatever, it’ll catch ;))
This looks absolutely delicious! I love pretty much anything citrus, I’ve never tried tilapia before, looks beautiful :)
That looks fishtacular!!!! I love it!
I might have to make this for my dinner party on Saturday!!! Sounds FABULOUS!
I know so many people who live the plain life! So gross. This is a beautiful dish!
I just love Tilapia and a burst of fresh citrus from this delicious recipe is what I need to create the next time I make fish! Fabulous!
DEEEELICIOUS!! – – The blood orange salsa blows my mind
What are calories?!
Calories are the little tiny creatures that hide in your closet at night and sew your clothes a little tighter.
Oh, and Oh how I adore your blog. You rock out loud. I attached you to my blogroll in my blog too.
I should be the size of a two ton Tessie if I make all your recipes, but I WILL BE the happiest gal on earth. And a full gal too.
Much love, Lynne xx
oh, okay, I’ll skip the gym if you reeaaaaalllllyyyy think I should… because you were a personal trainer, you must be right in this and you fully encourage eating fish instead. I’m game.
Made this last night with chicken instead of fish. It was AMAZING.. the salsa was so good, I’d eat it on a tire.
This looks amaaaaaaazing. I just discovered the individually wrapped frozen tilapia fillets. I usually stay away from frozen fish, but they were good and sooooooo easy. I was just crusting them with plain panko and lemon. This is absolutely a million times better.
I have Tilapia in the fridge and I’m TOTALLY making a version [minus breadcrumbs] of this!
I have tilapia in the refrigerator and have been dying for some inspiration. Thanks, lady! This looks so good.
— Michelle
Wow, this looks amazing!!!
i saw this and had to try it, so i made it for dinner tonight. it was delicious, and that salsa was perfect for it. thanks for the idea!
This looks delicious! I’m a fan of citrus so use as much as you want! I also LOVE blood oranges! We lived right next to a blood orange grove when we spent 3 years in Sicily – it was amazing!
Hello! Just wanted to let you know I made it for our dinner on Friday night, it was delicious! I omitted the salsa, used only the filets with white rice and a veggie side dish. Very tasty, much lighter than the usual fried version.
This will have a regular appearance at our home!
(depending on my photos, I’ll blog about it, and of course include a link to your site and all credit to you!)
thanks, great recipe
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Hey Jessica
I’ve been making and getting great ideas from you. I normally start out with a martini, so Thursday night I’ll be making my husband a “blood orange martini” followed by your recipe. I often post on Facebook my food creations (thank you again for ideas) I like the 1st course to always start out with signature cocktail that follows ingredients from dinner. Keep posted so I can up my game :)
Simple. Beautiful. What a great combination Jessica!
Yum! I’m thinking about making these for my dinner party next week. What side item would you serve the tilapia with…could I pair it with roasted potatoes? What do you suggest?
I just made a variation of this with chicken and a few substitutions based on what I had already and it was heavenly, you are a genius!
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Yum! Love that blood orange salsa.
I made this Sunday for lunch. It was delicious! This recipe is definitely a make again recipe! Thank you.
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Jessica, could this work with salmon (just on the top)? Also, what would you serve this with? Basmati? Or red potatoes? What do you think?
Thanks!
Not sure what you mean by “just the top?” But yes, I definitely think it will work with salmon! And I think any of those options are great to serve it with. Depends on what you’re in the mood for!
This dish is out of this world! Thank you so much for the inspiration :) http://inherchucks.com/2012/02/07/citrus-crusted-tilapia-with-blood-orange-salsa/
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this looks absolutely divine!
So…We’ve been trying to eat healthier meals. And usually they are plain – yuck! But I am inspired by your recipes and I think we’ll try this next week! (If we can find the blood oranges that is)
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