Day 19 - Gym-Night Recipe 2: Tilapia and Arborrio

My other favorite gym night recipe came from Mike's Grandma - only it came as sort of a joke.  When Mike and I first got married, his grandparents would always joke that I was not the best cook.  And that was the truth.  Mike's grandpa would always ask Mike, "What was the last think she made ya?"  And we'd laugh.  It was all in good fun.  Then one day, Mike's grandma brought me a few recipes that she had photocopied from a magazine.  She said she thought of me when she saw them because they were really easy!  Perfect. My kind of recipe.  So, I tried one from that photocopy, and it has become one of our favorites!!

Tilapia with Creamy Tomatoes and Arborio 

Ingredients (2 Servings)

2 Tilapia Filets

2 tbsp chopped basil

2 minced garlic cloves (I use already minced garlic from the jar)

1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes, drained (the original recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomato, but the canned tomatoes work perfectly, and we actually like it better!)

3 Tbsp. Heavy Cream

1 container of Arborio* (Arborio is Italian-style rice.  It's the perfect compliment to the tilapia and creamy tomatoes.  There are specific instructions on how to prepare the Arborio on the container itself.  My recipe calls for a chopped onion, 1 cup of the Arborio, and 3 cups of Chicken Stock)

Method

Begin working on the Arborio about 10-15 minutes before working on the tilapia, that way they finish at the same time.  Again, follow the instructions on the Arborio container.

Saute the 2 tilapia filets in olive oil until golden brown, and just cooked through; remove the fish from the pan.

In the same pan, saute the basil, the garlic, and the can of drained, diced tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes); cook for 2 mins, then stir in 3 tbsp heavy cream.  

Serve the fish on a plate, and top with the tomato cream sauce.  We like to cover the Arborio with the cream sauce as well.

ENJOY!

This "hardest" part of this recipe is the patience you need to make the Arborio.  It takes about 30 minutes, but it's really worth it.  So creamy and good.  Let me know how it goes!