Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Tilapia with Polenta and Roasted Asparagus & Tomatoes

This is one of those meals that not only tastes great,
is healthy, 
the presentation is beautiful and colorful, 
and
is budget friendly.
For this meal I used:
1pint of cherry tomatoes (99c)
1lb of asparagus ($1.49)
2lb of tilapia ($5)
1 cup of yellow cornmeal (less than .25c) for making polenta
total of $8
for feeding 5
that's about $1.50 per serving
(Both tomatoes and asparagus were on the ad sale last week. The tilapia was marked down for fast sale)

Roasted Asparagus and Veggies:
preheat oven to 400°.
Distribute the asparagus and tomatoes in cookies sheets,
drizzle with olive oil,
sprinkle with garlic powder and little salt.
Roast for 15-20 minutes.
(asparagus thickness will vary. I usually look for thin ones)


Make the polenta:
4 cups of water
1pinch of salt
1cup of yellow cornmeal
1T butter

Bring water to a boil, add salt and gradually whisk in cornmeal. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until polenta is cooked. About 10 min. Add butter at the end.
***you can also add a handful of grated Parmesan cheese***

Cook tilapia in a pan with little olive oil, after 3minutes, turn tilapia over,
sprinkle with steak seasoning,
and cook 3-4 more minutes.
(cooking time will vary according to how thick your tilapia is). 

Your dish is now ready.
Enjoy and

Stay Frugal,
Daniela



10 comments:

Lena said...

It looks really good! I'm always looking for new ways to cook tilapia because it's cheap but so bland.

NanaDiana said...

You make such nice meals for your family, Dani. You do your family a real service. Thanks for taking the time to share your recipes here-xo Diana

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
You never cease to amaze me with your smart solutions to daily life!
This looks so yummy and using steak sauce for the tilapias is very clever.
Sending you hugs and GOOD LUCK for your soon to be Marathon!
Mariette

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
You never cease to amaze me with your smart solutions to daily life!
This looks so yummy and using steak sauce for the tilapias is very clever.
Sending you hugs and GOOD LUCK for your soon to be Marathon!
Mariette

Kelly said...

That looks really yummy! I love fish and I love asparagus. I've never roasted my asparagus before. I may try that next time. It would be easier than the way I cook it on the stove.

Heather @ The Beating Hearth said...

YUMMY! I love how colorful this is and my tastebuds are watering.

must love junk said...

Mmm! I love tilapia and also asparagus! It looks so pretty, too :)
Susan

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm... can't wait to try this! Love how you broke down the cost! You are one amazing lady, Daniela!

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

Once again... you give me something new to try!! LOVE it.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
From this recipe I'd tried the asparagus and cherry tomatoes at home in my oven and it worked great. Trader Joe's has the thinnest and the cheapest green asparagus so that worked super. I've even made it in Miami at my friend Natacha's home and she loved it too. But tonight I cooked the polenta and the tilapia as well. THANK you so much for a healthy, delicious and easy dinner tip!
Sending you hugs and wishing you a happy Pentecost weekend.
Mariette

PS Even our felines got to feast on some tiny tilapia pieces!