How can I make my tilapia not so soggy/mushy after baking?!
How can I make my tilapia not so soggy/mushy after baking?
I don't want it hard or over cooked but it always seems to break up and get mushy!!! Any tips?
Answers:
Try boiling, but don't over cook.
Talapia Parmesan:
8 servings
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
2 pounds tilapia fillets
Preheat your oven's broiler. Grease a broiling pan or line pan with aluminum foil.
In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Season with dried basil, pepper, onion powder and celery salt. Mix well and set aside.
Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan. Broil a few inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
Flip the fillets over and broil for a couple more minutes. Remove the fillets from the oven and cover them with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side. Broil for 2 more minutes or until the topping is browned and fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to over cook the fish.
You might be cooking it too long. I love tillapia and depending on the thickness of the filets, I usually only bake them for no more then 12 minutes total. Try the recipes I've listed below and see if they help.
BUTTERY-CRUSTED BAKED TILAPIA
4 6-oz boneless tilapia filets
6-8 Ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon adobo seasoning
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
Arrange fish on a lined baking sheet. In a mixing bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with seasoned salt, chili powder, and adobo seasoning (use clean hands to mix).
Cut butter into 6 equal pats. Place one pat a piece directly on the center of the tilapia. Cut remaining 2 pats into pea-sized pieces and mix by hand into cracker mixture. Sprinkle crumbs equally over each tilapia filet.
Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, or desired doneness. Serve hot on a nice platter.
BAKED TILAPIA
1/4 c. celery
1/4 c. onion, chopped
1/4 c. sweet red pepper, chopped
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. dried tarragon
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 1/4 c. milk
1 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 1/2 lbs. Rain Forest Tilapia fillets
In a medium skillet, saute the celery, onions and sweet red pepper in butter until tender. Add the salt, pepper, tarragon, basil and milk; mix well. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until thickened. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Do not boil. Rinse the Tilapia fillets in cold water and drain thoroughly. Place the fish in a 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish; spoon the sauce evenly over the fish. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the fish flakes evenly when tested with a fork. Serves 4.